Dementia is one of the biggest causes of death worldwide, and there’s a common misconception that there’s nothing you can do to prevent it – but that’s not true.
A doctor has revealed a number of things you can implement into your life right now to reduce your risk of dementia considerably, and one of them relates to your teeth!
Dental hygiene and dementia
Claire Stevens, Consultant Geriatrician and Professor of Ageing and Health, revealed that having good dental health can help reduce the effects of dementia, on an episode of the ZOE Science & Nutrition podcast.
“In the UK population, about 35% of older adults have periodontal disease, inflammation of their gums, and we know there is quite a strong tight relationship between periodontal disease and cognitive function,” she said.
She added that from experience, people who come into her clinic with “bad teeth” also have a bad “cognitive reserve”. This refers to the brain’s resistance to damage, The American Psychological Association explains.
People with a high cognitive reserve have developed more neural networks, meaning they can process information, solve problems, and perform tasks better. So, they can deal with neurological damage, such as dementia, better.
“There is a vicious cycle though obviously because as you start to get dementia it’s more difficult to look after your teeth, and also we know that diet is really important in looking after teeth,” Stevens continued. “Teeth are much more healthy if you have a good, varied diet with less sugar and so on.”
A 2020 report in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, found bacteria that cause gum disease are associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, especially vascular dementia.
Another study in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association the following year found that older adults with tooth loss had, on average, a 48% higher risk of cognitive impairment and a 28% higher risk of dementia. There was also an increasing risk with each missing tooth.
Other things Stevens suggested you should do to reduce dementia risk include eating a good diet rich in nutrients, doing more physical exercise and stimulating your brain to improve cognitive function. All of these things won’t necessarily stop you getting the disease, but will reduce its negative effects.
Dementia is a general term for the weakened ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities, the CDC explains. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and it mainly affects older adults.
How to look after your teeth
You can start taking good care of your teeth and gums today to prevent dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease, and lower dementia risk. Healthy teeth are clean and have no cavities, while healthy gums are pink, firm, and do not bleed, MedlinePlus explains.
To maintain healthy teeth and gums, they recommend brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush for at least two minutes each time. You should also floss at least once per day, to remove plaque that is left behind after brushing.
Use fluoride toothpaste as this helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Also, replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if needed, as a worn-out toothbrush will not clean your teeth as well.
Eating a healthy diet will contribute to good dental hygiene too. Avoid sweets and sweetened drinks as much as possible, as this increases your risk of cavities. If you do eat or drink sweets, you should brush your teeth soon after.
Do not smoke, as smokers have more teeth and gum problems than non-smokers, and schedule regular checkups with your dentist. You should have your teeth professionally cleaned every six months for optimal oral health.
