Many of us think of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as one in the same. Even though around 60-80% of cases of dementia in the United States are caused by Alzheimer’s disease1, not all dementia is present due to Alzheimer’s.
Other causes of dementia include frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Lewy body disease, and vascular diseases, such as strokes. To further solidify the connection between the heart and the brain, it’s important to point out that plaque occurs in both organs, as well as the mouth. Or as Lora Hopper, RDH likes to say, "Plaque in the mouth, is plaque on the heart, is plaque on the brain."
Plaque forms on the teeth with the presence of bacteria in the mouth in combination with certain foods such as sugary items and carbohydrates. Plaque in the arteries is developed from cholesterol and calcium buildup on the artery walls.
The Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Center of Central Ohio’s collaboration with Complete Health Dentistry of Columbus enables our center to address a complete set of factors in concern to whole body health. Together, we can identify oral health issues related to overall health and optimize brain health with a concentrated focus on oral systemic health. Dr. Barbara McClatchie and Dr. Eric Goulder are both certified in the ReCODE program.
ReCODE is the first-ever community built around the prevention and reversal of cognitive decline. Based on the Bredesen Protocol, ReCODE optimizes Dr. Dale Bredesen’s 30+ years of neurodegenerative disease research. Learn more about Dr. Bredesen and ReCODE at Apollo Health.
Everything is connected
Everything is connected and that is one of the main reasons we created our center with a cardiologist and a dentist under one roof. Periodontal bacteria has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Porphyromonas gingivalis, an oral pathogenic bacteria, travels from the mouth, through the bloodstream, and reaches all parts of the body, including the brain, through common acts like chewing and brushing the teeth. Once there, this pathogenic bacteria destroys brain neurons and contributes to the development of beta-amyloid plaque. This plaque is believed by the scientific community to be responsible for Alzheimer’s disease. The plaque's initial effect is the interruption of the communication between neurons and it eventually progresses to killing them off.
No need to wait
Waiting for a health issue to announce its presence can make the road to recovery that much longer and more challenging. The Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Center of Central Ohio is fitted with an array of diagnostics to identify any potential neurodegenerative risks your body might be harboring. If you or a loved one has any suspicion or worry of cognitive decline, we can ease that worry and give you answers.
We have more scientific evidence available to us now than ever before. It’s not just about managing the disease, but also about prevention and reversal. Thankfully, there are many resources available for information, education, and support.
The Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Center of Central Ohio is here for you. We are a certified provider of the PreCODE and ReCODE programs. Contact us today to discuss your cognitive health. What better way to show gratitude to your body and good health than to take preventative steps to keep everything fine-tuned.
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