Correlation of Periodontitis and Incident Dementia: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Bacteria involved in periodontitis is thought to have an effect on patients developing Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, through the inflammation caused during periodontal disease which induces the production of inflammatory mediators that is likely to spread systemically causing dementia in all different age groups. This review was performed to further investigate around the scope of this idea proposed by several authors who have performed different clinical studies.
Materials and Methods: The analysis of five articles (clinical studies, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies) was done. These articles advocate about the possible correlation between periodontitis and dementia.
Results and discussion: From the available literature identified, the studies have indicated a positive correlation between periodontal disease and dementia. The cohort studies have inferred this from both prospective and retrospective studies.
Conclusion: Though the exact mechanism underlying this association remains unknown and not yet fully understood, it is believed that periodontitis and incident dementia are positively correlated according to the studies analyzed in this present study.