Good oral care can protect your brain
What may be more surprising is that your brain may also be at risk from poor dental health.
Studies show that poor oral health, particularly tooth loss and periodontal disease, are associated with an increased risk for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and mild cognitive impairment.
What are these disorders?
While there are differences, cognitive disorders affect a person’s ability to think, remember and reason, while also bringing on behavioural changes. As these disorders progress, a person’s daily life and ability to participate in normal activities become more difficult.
Alzheimer’s, for example, is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. A progressive brain disorder, it slowly destroys memory and thinking skills.
Parkinson’s leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and co-ordination. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder.
Mild cognitive impairment includes memory or thinking problems and is very common among older people.
Every 24 hours, 10 Canadians develop Alzheimer’s or a related dementia; and more than 25 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
Approximately 19,000 people in Saskatchewan have dementia, and as the population ages, that number is expected to grow. By 2038, about 28,000 people are expected to be living with dementia — about 2.3 per cent of the population.
The cost of caring for Saskatchewan people with dementia reached more than $572 million per year, and that number is expected to soar to $6.2 billion by 2038.
How does poor oral health affect these diseases?
Poor oral health, defined as tooth loss and periodontal disease, or inflammation of the soft (gum) and hard (bone) tissues surrounding the teeth, seems to have effects on the central nervous system (CNS).
For example, studies estimate that periodontal disease is associated with a risk increase of 38 per cent for dementia, 69 per cent for Alzheimer’s, 43 per cent for Parkinson’s and 120 per cent for mild cognitive impairment.
Scientists suggest that this occurs in three main ways:
- Tooth loss leads to poorer nutrition, which has negative effects on the CNS.
- Tooth loss results in fewer “occlusal contacts” or proper meeting of the teeth. This leads to less sensory feedback reaching the CNS, which can lead to impaired cognition.
- The inflammation, bacteria, viruses, and their biproducts associated with periodontal disease can affect the CNS even before tooth loss occurs. Researchers believe that the inflammation, bacteria, viruses, and their biproducts can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause inflammatory changes in the brain.
More research is required to establish exactly how poor oral health can increase the risk for these cognitive disorders, but scientists also suggest that low education levels and poverty may play a role in this relationship.
Start protecting your brain today
Starting a regimen of good dental care now can help to keep you healthy overall, and may even help to maintain your brain health as you age.
Reducing the intake of sugars, eating a healthy diet, brushing and flossing regularly, and regular teeth cleanings and dental check-ups are just a few of the things you can do to keep you in great shape, both physically and mentally.
Find a Saskatchewan Dentist
All dentists are required to be licensed by meeting specific requirements and training and it is often a matter of taking the time to find the best “fit” for you. A phone call to the office or a visit to the dentist’s website may provide help with regard to language options, location, accessibility, insurance and payment options, hours of operation, recall programs, and more.
Find a dentist
Choosing a dentist can be a daunting task. The best resources when choosing a new dentist are your friends, relatives or work colleagues who may be able to make recommendations. Other health professionals, such as your doctor or pharmacist, may also be able to make recommendations. Remember, all dentists are required to be licensed by meeting specific requirements and training and it is often a matter of taking the time to find the best “fit” for you. A phone call to the office or a visit to the dentists website may provide help with regard to language options, location, accessibility, insurance and payment options, hours of operation, recall programs, etc. If your general dentist is unable to provide some of the services that you require, he or she may refer you to a general dentist colleague or a specialist.
When choosing a dentist you may wish to consider if the practice offers the services you are looking for. A general dentist’s service may include:
- Routine checkups, fillings and teeth cleaning
- Prosthodontics (Crowns, bridges, dentures)
- Endodontics (‘Root canal’) treatments
- Oral surgery (‘Extractions’, etc.)
- Periodontal (Gum) treatment
- Orthodontics (‘Straightening of teeth’)
- Pediatric (‘Children’s’) dentistry services
