Document Type
STEM
Date
2024
Submission Date
May 2024
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease causes 10% of all deaths in the United States, while severe periodontitis affects 10% of the population worldwide. Although seemingly unrelated, researchers exploring the connection between the two suggest that oral hygiene is necessary to decrease periodontitis that could possibly lead to Alzheimer’s disease. A notable oral pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), has been identified in the connection between Alzheimer’s and periodontitis. In this study, green tea mouthwash is being analyzed to find out if the mouthwash can reduce the periodontitis mechanisms of P. gingivalis to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Green tea mouthwash contains the catechins, EGCg and ECg, which have been found to decrease Gram-negative and Gram-positive oral bacteria as well as proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α that P. gingivalis can induce orally and in the brain. In addition, P. gingivalis induces the formation of oral plaque, causing periodontitis, which green tea mouthwash has also been found to reduce. Compared to the traditional chlorhexidine mouthwash, green tea mouthwash causes little to no staining, may taste better, and can be used as drinking tea while having plaque-reducing abilities comparable to chlorhexidine. However, since Alzheimer’s primarily affects the elderly, a proposal of green tea mouthwash being implemented in young adults aged 20 to 30 to proactively prevent Alzheimer’s may be proposed since the risk of severe periodontitis and plaque, as well as amyloid beta (Aβ) concentration, increases with age and elevates at age 60. In addition, early-onset Alzheimer’s has been found to occur at an average age of 56. However, the disease could affect those between the age of 30 and 40. Therefore, implementing green tea mouthwash into the dental care of young adults may prevent the risk of these individuals developing Alzheimer’s prior to the age where the treatment may no longer be effective.
Rights
© The Author(s)
Is Part Of
Auctus
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25886/hd5y-gw61