Matt is joined by Jonathan An, Assistant Professor of Oral Health Sciences at the University of Washington, to discuss the link between oral health and ageing, including research on the effects of rapamycin on oral health.

Key Points:

The podcast discusses the link between oral health and ageing, focusing on how immune system changes contribute to oral diseases. Jonathan An also shares his research on using rapamycin to potentially improve oral health in ageing populations.

• Oral Health and Ageing: The episode explores the relationship between oral health and ageing, highlighting how age-related immune system changes contribute to oral diseases like periodontal disease.
• Jonathan An’s Unique Path: Jonathan An, a DDS and PhD, shares his journey in combining dentistry with scientific research, focusing on ageing and its impact on oral health.
• Research on Periodontal Disease: Jonathan’s work investigates the biological causes of age-associated periodontal disease, including tissue changes, reduced immune responses, and declining salivary function.
• Link Between Oral and Systemic Health: They discuss how oral diseases, especially periodontal disease, are correlated with age-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia.
• Future Research with Rapamycin: The conversation touches on Jonathan’s ongoing research on rapamycin, exploring its potential to modulate immune responses and improve oral health in ageing populations.