Happy & Healthy with Amy

Gum Disease and Alzheimer's: What You Need to Know with Dr. Gary Glassman

• Amy Lang • Season 2 • Episode 66

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0:00 | 48:38

What if one of the ways you could support your brain health starts with taking better care of your gums?

In 2019, researchers discovered evidence of a bacterium associated with gum disease in brain tissue from people with Alzheimer's disease. The finding raised an intriguing question: Could bacteria and chronic inflammation in our mouths play a role in cognitive decline?

We don't have proof that gum disease causes Alzheimer's. But researchers are investigating the connection, and there's already a well-established relationship between gum disease and type 2 diabetes—one of the 14 modifiable risk factors identified in the Lancet Commission report for reducing your risk of dementia.

In this episode of Happy & Healthy with Amy, I'm joined by Dr. Gary Glassman, an internationally recognized endodontist with more than 40 years of experience, to explore the science of oral fitness and why taking care of your teeth and gums matters for more than just your smile.

We'll discuss how oral inflammation may affect your overall health, why some dental infections go unnoticed, and the practical habits you can adopt to support healthier aging.

Because when it comes to Alzheimer's prevention, I want you to focus not just on what could go wrong, but on what you can do today to support your long-term health.

What To Listen For

  • 00:00 — Could gum disease be connected to Alzheimer's? What researchers discovered in brain tissue, and why the presence of bacterial enzymes has scientists asking new questions.
  • 02:30 — The surprising connection between gum disease and type 2 diabetes. Why this two-way relationship deserves attention when you're trying to reduce your dementia risk.
  • 08:10 — What is oral fitness? Dr. Glassman explains why maintaining healthy teeth and gums should be a lifelong priority, just like exercise and nutrition.
  • 10:22 — Why you could have a dental infection without knowing it. How serious infections can develop without pain, and why regular dental exams matter.
  • 14:30 — The warning sign of gum disease you shouldn't ignore. Why bleeding gums can be an early clue even when nothing hurts.
  • 18:36 — How to build a practical oral fitness routine. Dr. Glassman's advice on brushing, flossing, water flossers, and the importance of consistency over perfection.
  • 20:05 — How chronic inflammation in your mouth affects the rest of your body. What happens when inflammation doesn't resolve and why researchers are studying its connection to chronic disease.
  • 23:43 — What scientists know about gum bacteria and Alzheimer's. The research involving P. gingivalis and gingipains, and the important questions that remain unanswered.
  • 28:54 — How oral health, blood sugar, and cardiovascular health are connected. Why poorly controlled diabetes can make gum disease worse and how periodontal treatment may modestly improve blood sugar control.
  • 36:35 — When Alzheimer's becomes personal. Dr. Glassman shares how his mother's experience with advanced dementia changed his perspective on prevention, independence, and healthy aging.

Listen to my conversation with Dr. Gary Glassman to understand the science behind Oral Fitness™ and why Gary insists you can't separate oral health from overall health. Then follow Happy & Healthy with Amy on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and download my free RESTORED Protocol to explore eight essential factors to build a more resilient brain you can start implementing today.

References

1. Dominy, S. S., et al. (2019). Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer's disease brains: Evidence for disease causation and treatment with small-molecule inhibitors. Science Advances, 5(1), eaau3333. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6357742/

2. Cortexyme, Inc. (2021). Results of the GAIN Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial of Atuzaginstat (COR388). https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1662774/000119312521307962/d212962d8k.htm

3. European Federation of Periodontology and WONCA Europe (2024). Periodontal diseases and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory diseases: Summary of the consensus report. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10962307/

4. Livingston, G., et al. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet, 404(10452), 572–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0

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