FROM GINGIVA TO GRAY MATTER: EXPLORING THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN PERIODONTITIS AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE- A REVIEW

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting tissues, has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through shared inflammatory, vascular, and microbial pathways. Evidence indicates that Porphyromonas gingivalis and its gingipains can invade the brain, promote amyloid-β and tau pathology, and trigger neuroinflammation. Epidemiological studies consistently show a higher dementia risk among individuals with severe periodontitis or tooth loss, while limited trials suggest that periodontal therapy reduces systemic inflammation and may modestly improve cognition. Overall, growing evidence supports a biologically plausible connection between periodontitis and AD, underscoring the importance of oral health in dementia prevention.