A link to dementia was found in the mouth – Several other risks – 2024-04-27 16:04:52

Poor oral health may be associated with an increased risk of dementia in people over 70 years of age. The risk of getting sick is especially increased by toothlessness and chewing difficulties.

In the study, the absence of several teeth was associated with a 12 percent higher risk of dementia, when the comparison was with people of the same age who had good oral health.

According to the study, the risk of dementia for those with no teeth was 20 percent higher. Difficulty chewing and dry mouth were also associated with the risk of illness.

Uutispalvelu Duodecim reports on the research. The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The study is based on the follow-up of more than 37,000 Japanese people aged 73 on average between 2010 and 2019.

In the past, poor oral health has been linked to, among other things, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and mood problems.

Dental and oral health are connected to many national diseases. Adobe Stock / AOP

Connections to many diseases

Oral health has connections with many diseases.

According to an article in Duodecim magazine, long-term inflammation in the mouth area and especially periodontitis can be a risk factor behind some common diseases.

Such diseases include arteriosclerosis, heart and brain infarction, and chronic kidney disease. In some cases, poor oral health can also act as a trigger for rheumatoid arthritis.

According to the website of the dental association, oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and in some cases cause blood poisoning, inflammation of the inner membrane of the heart, vertebral inflammation or abscesses in, for example, the brain, lungs, abdominal cavity and liver.

The connection between oral infections and cancers and, among other things, Alzheimer’s disease and MS is being studied diligently.

Poor oral health is also linked to obesity.

Cause or effect?

The connection between oral health and dementia has been studied before.

A review study from 2022 showed that the risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline is higher in patients with poor dental health.

On the other hand, it is not entirely clear how the cause and effect relationship goes. If the memory is not at its clearest, the result may be that brushing the teeth and other oral hygiene is not taken care of well enough.

The Käyä hoito website states that people with dementia have worse oral hygiene and more oral diseases than the rest of the population.

Dementia is, according to the definition of the Memory Association, a syndrome, not a separate disease.

According to the Health Library, dementia refers to a wide-ranging disorder of brain functions that significantly hinders coping with everyday challenges. The most common cause of dementia is a progressive memory disorder, but not always.

Depression, certain medications, prolonged heavy alcohol use and local brain damage can also impair memory and concentration.