Emerging evidence for associations between periodontitis and the development of Alzheimer’s disease

Periodontal disease (PD) is an inflammatory disease affecting tooth-supporting tissues in which interaction of specific bacteria and the host’s immune responses play a pivotal role. The pathogenic bacteria associated with PD are a source of systemic inflammation as they have the ability to enter systemic circulation during everyday tasks such as brushing teeth and chewing food. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a form of dementia whereby inflammation is thought to play a key role in its pathogenesis and the risk of developing the disease increasing with age. The exact aetiology of the late-onset AD is unknown but peripheral infections are being considered as a potential risk factor.