“Poor periodontal health and tooth loss appear to increase the risk of both cognitive decline and dementia,”
the authors wrote in their paper, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
A healthy mouth may just help keep the brain healthy as well, new research out this week suggests.
The study, a broad review of the existing evidence, found that poor dental health was linked to a later higher risk of
cognitive decline and dementia.
This increased risk was especially apparent for those missing some or all of their teeth.
Many studies have indicated that the health of our teeth and gums can influence the body elsewhere, including the brain.
In new research by a team from the University of Eastern Finland,
they collected and analyzed 47 longitudinal studies that tracked people’s oral and brain health over time,
looking specifically at those who hadn’t been diagnosed with dementia at the start of the study.
Ultimately, they found that people with poor oral health were 23% more likely to eventually develop some amount of cognitive decline,
and 21% more likely to develop dementia.
And of the various measures of oral health studied, they also found that tooth loss in particular was independently associated with cognitive decline and dementia.
In other words, while there might be a real cause-and-effect link between poor oral health and dementia,
it will take more well-done research to better understand the specifics of this relationship,
including the exact mechanisms behind it. Some scientists theorize, for instance,
that the bacteria found in people with gum disease can help trigger or accelerate the complex chain of events that leads to dementia.
Keeping your mouth in good shape already has plenty of benefits, including for heart health.
So it’s yet another reason to brush your teeth every day and to see a dentist regularly.
“Given the impact of cognitive deterioration on periodontal health,
oral health professionals are well-placed to track and intervene in early changes in periodontal health
and oral self-care, but only if dental healthcare services are sustained over time and adequate oral health support
is provided in the home setting when deterioration in self-care is identified,” they wrote.
