Women who look after their teeth and gums 'have lower risk of dementia
Researchers who followed nearly 5,500 elderly folk over an 18-year period found those who brushed their teeth less than once a day were up to 65 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed three times a day.
Annlia Paganini-Hill, the study’s lead author, said: ‘Not only does the state of your mind predict what kind of oral health habits you practise, it may be that your oral health habits influence whether or not you get dementia.’
The study is not the first to link poor oral health with health conditions. For instance, those with gum disease are more prone to suffer a narrowing of the arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Some research has also found those with Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, have more gum disease-related bacteria in their brains than others. It’s thought gum disease bacteria causes inflammation and brain damage when it reaches the brain. The latest study tracked the health of almost 5,500 residents at a Californian retirement community from 1992 to 2010.
Some 18 years later, 1,145 of the original group had signs of dementia. Of 78 women who brushed their teeth less than once a day in 1992, 21 had dementia by 2010, about one case per 3.7 women.
In comparison, among those who brushed at least once a day, closer to one in every 4.5 women developed dementia – a 65 per cent greater chance of the disease.
Writing in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the University of California researchers said that while they hadn’t proved dental decay can fuel dementia, the topic warrants more research.
They said: ‘If confirmed…regular oral hygiene and use of dentures may reduce the risk of dementia.’
Jessica Smith, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘There have been a number of studies looking at the link between inflammation caused by factors including poor dental health and dementia, but this link is not yet fully understood.’
Head injury and malnutrition are also important causes of tooth loss in adults, and either of those might increase the dementia risk, said Amber Watts, who studies dementia at the University of Kansas and wasn't part of the study.
'I would be reluctant to draw the conclusion that brushing your teeth would definitely prevent you from getting Alzheimer's disease,' she said.
Sources: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2191447/Looking-teeth-gums-lower-risk-dementia.html#ixzz24MJE1DdJ
Reflections:
I feel that this is a very interesting discovery made by the scientist. This would encourage the public to observe more proper oral habits, and would ensure that they maintain oral hygiene at all times. Even though this mainly applies to women, it may also affect some men to. Through such a discovery, it would definitely encourage people to maintain oral hygiene and to brush their teeth regularly. Keeping our teeth and gums healthy would also reduce the chances for us to contract other life-threatening diseases such as heart diseases and brain damage. Thus, this increases the life expectancy of the population. However, this might only apply to the people who are more "kiasu" in a sense.
This might not be effective as some people might not believe that this is true. They might feel that this is just another myth and might not brush their teeth properly. Therefore, I feel that there should be solid evidence to prove this case and ensure that people are convinced by the researchers.
In conclusion, I feel that this is another amazing discovery. Who could have thought that dementia was actually linked indirectly to poor oral habits?
