The Human Form of Mad Cow Disease Linked to Tooth Decay

According to some recent studies led by Welsh researchers, the mad cow disease of human form could be directly linked to tooth decay. They further bring up a hypothesis according to which during the early 80′s, people have become infected with the incurable disease, because they have eaten meat that was contaminated.

Dr Roland Salmon (Public Health Wales professional), states that this hypothesis might also be the soundest explanation as to why there have been such few cases of human form of the mad cow disease (known formally as the variant Creutzfeldt Disease- shortly, vCJD).

Moreover, the hypothesis is also bringing an explanation as to the geographical areas that the disease spread. In areas where the dental decay rates have been significantly higher — namely in Scotland and N-E England — there was a higher incidence of the disease.

According to reports from the National Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease Research and Surveillance Unit (Edinburgh), between the years 1990 and 2011, there have been 171 vCJD deaths confirmed. Currently, there are also 4 people living with definite/ probable contamination.

Researchers have analyzed regional data of vCJD incidence and dental health related data for the years 1992-1993 in 12- year old children. This is basically how researchers have started correlating dental decay with the Variant Creutzfeldt –Jakob disease. The hypothesis has been brought to light by Dr. Roland Salmon together with Daniel Thomas and Nigel Monaghan (from Public Health Wales), and they state that it is very likely that the infection did not occur through the stomach, but via dental route (bacteria traveled into the system through the gaps in the teeth that were existent due to untreated dental decay).

Dr. Salmon further explains that the number one risk factor for vCJD is dental decay, and not dental treatment. One very interesting fact to note is that the area with the lowest incidence of Vcjd, and the area which has the lowest number of filled teeth is the West Midlands. This region is also the one where there are the highest levels of water fluoridation existent.

The study published the “Dental Hypothesis” is meant to be a starting point for researchers from all over the world, who will try and establish further links between vCJD and tooth decay by carrying on further investigations.