New investigation is the last to suggest that the condition of our mouth and teeth is intimmediately connected to our brain health. The study found an association between people with severe gum disease or missing teeth in the early 1960s and an increased risk of developing cognitive problems and dementia up to two decades later, compared to people no gum disease.
The new study, published on Wednesday in Neurology, analyzed the medical history of more than 8,000 middle-aged people who participated in another long-term research project meant to track your health for the rest of your life. As part of the project, these volunteers were subjected a complete dental examination at age 60 (average age 63). At the time of this examination, none of them were considered to have dementia or mild cognitive impairment, a condition that often leads toblown dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers had followeddata on this group of persons for a median of 18 years. About 19% of them overall developed dementia during that time. But there were clear differences between the people who had varying the severity of gum disease. Among those who already had severe gum disease, 22% had dementia, and 23% of those without teeth in their 60s also developed dementia. Meanwhile, 14% of people without gum disease developed dementia.
Taking into account other risk factors, such as pre-existing conditions like diabetes or a history of smoking, the researchers estimated that having no teeth was associated with almost twice the risk of developing dementia or mild cognitive impairment, compared to people in good health. . gum health and no missing teeth. For those with severe gum disease and / or severe tooth loss, the risk was approximately 20 percent higher. People with mild gum disease or little tooth loss did not appear to have a significant additional risk compared to volunteers with the healthiest mouths, even if.
Other studies similar in design to this have found an association between gum disease and subsequent dementia. But according to lead author Ryan Demmer, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, this is one of the few that studies people for so long. and include a large sample of African Americans. At the same time, these studies alone cannot show a direct cause and effect relationship between the two conditions. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a plausible connection.
G / O Media may receive a commission
Researchers have speculated that the chronic inflammation seen in gum disease can subtly influence our risk for many chronic diseases, such as diabetes or stroke, which in turn can increase the risk of dementia. Others have suggested that problematic microbes he found In diseased gums, it can even migrate to the brain and help trigger the formation of clumps of proteins that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
However, there are other reasons that could explain the study’s findings, according to Demmer. An important caveat, for example, is that some people in the study may have started to develop cognitive impairment, unnoticed at the time, before any dentistry. The problems could have had an effect. There may also be other hidden factors that you didn’t take into account that can increase your risk of gum disease and dementia at the same time, making the link a coincidence rather than a true cause and effect.
“We need large studies that actually measure the underlying bacteria that are considered the risk factor of interest,” said Demmer., noting that many studies only tend to rely on an indirect measure of exposure to these bacteria, such as a diagnosis of gum disease. “We will also eventually need randomized controlled trials to see whether to treat periodontitis or prevent periodontitis. [gum disease] prevents dementia. “
Still, there is already Lots of good reasons to keep your teeth and gums healthy for as long as possibleDemmer pointed out.
“Right now, improving oral health is not warranted based on cognitive health,” he said. “However, good oral health is important for overall health, and the potential for a secondary benefit of improved cognition over time is plausible. ”
.
