According to a new study, gum disease could be an indicator of dementia. Published in the online edition of Neurology, the study looked at the association between irreversible gum disease that can cause tooth loss and mild cognitive impairment.
Researchers looked at patient’s dental health over 20 years and found that those with the most severe gum disease at the start of the study had about twice the risk for developing mild cognitive impairment or dementia by the end of the study.
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Study author Ryan T. Demmer, Ph.D., spoke about the findings, saying, “The good news was that people with minimal tooth loss and mild gum disease were no more likely to develop thinking problems or dementia than people with no dental problems.”
For the study, researchers involved 8,275 people with an average age of 63 who did not have dementia at the start of the study. Participants were assessed for mild cognitive impairment and dementia and received a full periodontal exam that included measuring gum probing depth, amount of bleeding, and recession. Participants were then grouped depending on the severity and extent of their gum disease and the number of lost teeth. They were followed for an average of 18 years.
It was found that 1,569 participants had developed dementia during the study. Of the people who had healthy gums and all their teeth at the start of the study, 264 out of 1,826 developed dementia by the end of the study. Participants in the mild gum disease group had 623 out of 3,470 develop dementia. For participants with severe gum disease, 306 out of 1,368 developed dementia, and 376 out of 1,611 developed dementia in the group that had no teeth. Risk factors that could affect dementia risk were accounted for, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking.
Twice the Risk of Cognitive Impairment
The study concluded that the group with no teeth had about twice the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia compared to participants with healthy gums and all their teeth. Participants with intermediate or severe gum disease, but who still had some teeth, had a 20% greater risk of developing mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
“Good dental hygiene is a proven way to keep healthy teeth and gums throughout your lifetime. Our study does not prove that an unhealthy mouth causes dementia and only shows an association. Further study is needed to demonstrate the link between microbes in your mouth and dementia, and to understand if treatment for gum disease can prevent dementia,” Demmer said.
As more research is granted, studies may be able to fine-tune their findings to examine whether it is possible that cognitive decline might begin before the start of gum disease and tooth loss. It is essential for patients to realize healthy teeth and gums can affect overall health at any age.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
