Tooth loss, dementia
TOOTH loss means a higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia among older adults. The risk increases with each missing tooth, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.
Compared to other age groups, impairment or dementia. poor oral hygiene, tooth cavities, Mild cognitive impairment and gum disease, and tooth loss, are more mild dementia are common among common in older adults. senior citizens. According to the
Recent studies have shown that Mayo Clinic, “the main distinctions there is a link between older adults between mild cognitive impairment and poor oral health and cognitive and mild dementia are that in the impairment or dementia. latter, substantial interference with
In a study supported by the daily life is evident.” The key phrase National Institute on Aging, U. S. here is “substantial interference” in National Institutes of Health, a daily activities. research team at New York University The study then used medical looked closely at this link to get a examinations and self- reported more comprehensive picture. records to assess tooth loss and
The study analyzed six major classified participants as having databases of biomedical science more or fewer missing teeth. publications and identified 14 It found that participants with relevant studies. The studies used more missing teeth had, on average, questionnaires, assessments, medical a 48 percent higher risk of cognitive records, and information from death impairment and a 28 percent higher certificates to identify participants risk of dementia. with cognitive i mpairment or The relationship between tooth dementia. loss and cognitive decline was “dose
O u t o f a t o t a l o f 3 4 , 0 7 4 dependent”: that is, each lost tooth participants, 4,689 had cognitive was associated with a 1.4 percent increase in the risk of cognitive impairment and a 1.1 percent increase in the risk of dementia.
Participants who were missing 20 or more teeth had a 31 percent higher risk of cognitive impairment.
Participants who had lost all their teeth had a 54 percent higher risk of cognitive impairment and a 40 percent higher risk of dementia.