Dr. Cornelio Blus - Studio Medico Odontoiatrico

05/03/2025

New research shows Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to an unexpected culprit — gum disease.

A study discovered the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria responsible for chronic periodontitis, in the brains of deceased Alzheimer’s patients.

Researchers found that when mice were infected with the bacteria, it colonized their brains and triggered the production of amyloid beta, a protein commonly associated with Alzheimer’s. This evidence strengthens the hypothesis that the disease could have infectious origins rather than being solely a neurodegenerative disorder.

The study also revealed that toxic enzymes from the bacteria were present in individuals who had Alzheimer's-related brain changes but had not yet been diagnosed with dementia, suggesting the infection may begin years before symptoms appear.

This discovery opens the door to new potential treatments. A pharmaceutical company, Cortexyme, developed a compound called COR388, which showed promise in reducing both bacterial infection and amyloid beta accumulation in animal trials. While human trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness, the study underscores the importance of oral hygiene in brain health. Scientists remain cautiously optimistic, emphasizing that with no new dementia treatments in over 15 years, investigating all possible causes is crucial. While more research is needed, the link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s highlights a simple yet vital message: taking care of your teeth might help protect your brain in the long run.

Learn more: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aau3333

02/03/2025

Emerging research suggests that Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to an unexpected culprit — gum disease.

A study discovered the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria responsible for chronic periodontitis, in the brains of deceased Alzheimer’s patients.

Researchers found that when mice were infected with the bacteria, it colonized their brains and triggered the production of amyloid beta, a protein commonly associated with Alzheimer’s. This evidence strengthens the hypothesis that the disease could have infectious origins rather than being solely a neurodegenerative disorder.

The study also revealed that toxic enzymes from the bacteria were present in individuals who had Alzheimer's-related brain changes but had not yet been diagnosed with dementia, suggesting the infection may begin years before symptoms appear.

This discovery opens the door to new potential treatments. A pharmaceutical company, Cortexyme, developed a compound called COR388, which showed promise in reducing both bacterial infection and amyloid beta accumulation in animal trials. While human trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness, the study underscores the importance of oral hygiene in brain health. Scientists remain cautiously optimistic, emphasizing that with no new dementia treatments in over 15 years, investigating all possible causes is crucial. While more research is needed, the link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s highlights a simple yet vital message: taking care of your teeth might help protect your brain in the long run.

Learn more: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aau3333

02/03/2025

02/03/2025

19/02/2025

01/02/2025

05/01/2025

Tooth enamel — not bone — is the hardest substance in the human body:

Tooth enamel, the outer layer of your teeth, holds the title of the hardest substance in the human body — even harder than bone. However, its strength faces a formidable challenge: your mouth is a thriving ecosystem teeming with over 300 species of bacteria in dental plaque alone.

Despite enamel’s remarkable durability, it can’t withstand the relentless assault of these bacteria without proper care.

Tooth decay, commonly referred to as cavities, develops when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth.

This sticky biofilm harbors bacteria that produce acids as they digest sugars, gradually eroding enamel and leading to decay. Without intervention, this process can compromise the structural integrity of your teeth, underscoring the importance of good oral hygiene to protect your smile

12/11/2024

24/09/2024

Humans have been performing dentistry since 7000 BCE:

Dentistry is one of the world’s oldest medical professions, dating back more than 9,000 years.

The earliest records of dentistry date to 7000 BCE

By 5000 BCE, Sumerian texts mentioned tooth decay, attributing it to "tooth worms"— an idea that wasn't debunked until the 1700s.

In 1840, the first dental college opened in the U.S., soon followed by the formation of the American Dental Association.

Harvard founded the first university-affiliated dental school in 1867. Meanwhile, dental innovations emerged, such as Colgate’s mass-produced toothpaste in 1873 and toothbrushes soon after.

Interestingly, good oral hygiene wasn’t widely practiced in the U.S. until after World War II, when soldiers brought back brushing habits from abroad.

24/08/2024

A new type of microscopic organism has been found in the human gut.

These newly discovered organisms are called obelisks, and they are made up of tiny rings of genetic material. Obelisks can create their own proteins that are entirely new to science. The team named their proteins “oblins.” Scientists are still figuring out what these proteins do and how obelisks interact with other organisms. Obelisks require a microbial host cell for replication. The researchers identified one potential host for obelisks, a bacterium that is mostly found in our mouths. This bacterium is known as Streptococcus sanguinis, and it’s commonly found in dental plaque. It’s still a mystery where else obelisks are found, what they do to their host, and how they spread. Up until now, obelisks went unnoticed, and could be an entirely new class of life forms. The discovery raises intriguing questions about the role of obelisks in human health, whether they might be harmful, beneficial, or merely passive inhabitants of our microbial ecosystem. There are trillions of tiny organisms in our gut that generally keep us healthy. However, if something upsets this balance, it could make us sick with conditions like diabetes and mood disorders. If obelisks prove to be parasitic, they might harm beneficial gut bacteria, disrupting the delicate ecosystem within the gut and potentially leading to health issues. Conversely, if they have a symbiotic relationship with their hosts, obelisks might contribute to the stability and diversity of the gut microbiome, possibly offering new avenues for therapeutic interventions.