#93 Chronic Inflammation of TMD/TMJ Contributes to Alzheimer’s Disease

I have been writing about the relationship between chronic inflammation within the temporomandibular joint and the symptoms of TMD/TMJ for 2 years.  During that period, I have kept pace with developments and discoveries within scientific literature regarding chronic inflammation in general and the relationship between chronic inflammation and many other diseases.

My interest in chronic inflammation started very early in my career as I attained a master’s degree in cell biology and anatomy in addition to my dental and medical degrees. Having completed my DDS at Indiana University School of Dentistry in three years instead of four, the dean made it clear that dental school was four years.  He quipped, although I had met all requirements for graduation, I would be spending my fourth year in Indianapolis.  Begrudgingly, I decided to use the time to obtain a degree in cell biology.  I figured that taking a deep dive into learning everything I could about inflammation would be beneficial on my journey to becoming an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.  As it turned out, I was correct in my assumption, becoming most valuable when I gave up surgery to correct TMD/TMJ and focused on non-surgical intervention.

Inflammation is involved in just about every disease.  Acute and chronic inflammation is the bodies inherent and complicated method to heal itself.  The world’s most recent experience with inflammation was Covid 19. The effects of this virus on the lungs and the ability of chronic inflammation to assist or hinder healing and survival was detested or celebrated.

We know a lot about inflammation.  And there continues to be a lot we don’t know.  Knowledge regarding inflammation has expanded greatly since I began my study of the subject 50 years ago.  Every year there are more scientific articles published about inflammation than in the prior year.  Obviously, it’s a big important topic.

As it applies to TMD/TMJ, chronic inflammation plays the pivotal role of creating each and every one of the symptoms of this devastating disease.  Fortunately, chronic inflammation of the TMJ can be ameliorated by unloading the joint like a set of crutches unloads the knee when it is damaged and inflamed using a simple oral device and protocol.

There are as many reasons to seek treatment for TMJ/TMD as there are symptoms.  But an additional reason has arrived on the scene withing the past few years when it was discovered that chronic inflammation within any part of the body plays a role in contributing to Alzheimer’s Disease.  Most people are familiar with Alzheimer’s having some experience with a friend or family member experiencing mental deterioration over time.  Most recently, the United States president has fallen victim to the disease.

Two recent articles, one from “Frontiers of Immunology” January 6, 2022, and “Neurobiol Aging 2000: 21(3):383-421” have focused on how and why chronic inflammatory cells in distant parts of the body can infiltrated the brain contributing to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Periodontal Disease, (chronic inflammation of the gums) has been studied for over 20 years.  These studies have proven that chronic inflammation of the gums contributes to cardiac disease, diabetes, low birth weights, and lung disease.  Now we find that chronic inflammation contributes to Alzheimer’s Disease.

A year ago, I did an in depth study comparing the amount of chronic inflammation generated by periodontal disease compared to the amount of chronic inflammation generated by TMD/TMJ.  I was astonished to find that TMD/TMJ generates a larger volume of chronic inflammatory cells and cellular exudates than 28 periodontally involved teeth.  Both periodontitis and TMD/TMJ are progressive diseases.  Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that alleviating chronic inflammation in the TMJ will decrease the incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease.

There are more reasons to treat TMD/TMJ other than the relief of pain, jaw disfunction, and middle ear problems.  Your mental health as you age may depend on limiting the amount of chronic inflammation in your joints.

If you think you have TMD/TMJ, give us a call.  We are here to help.