Get Dentures, Get Dementia?
New research suggests that tooth loss may predict your chances of getting dementia later in life.
According to a study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association, people with fewer than 10 teeth have a greater risk of developing dementia when compared to people with 10 or more teeth.
Past studies have also shown a connection between poor oral health and dementia. But researchers aren’t sure if one causes the other.
Besides periodontal disease, nutritional deficiencies when you’re young as well as chronic diseases or infections may cause both tooth loss and brain damage.
More reasons to eat right and brush after meals.
Technorati Tags: tooth loss, periodontal disease, dementia
October 11th, 2007 at 12:45 am
Does it count if they were pulled for braces?
October 11th, 2007 at 10:57 am
My grandfather lost almost all his teeth but he never lost his mind.
October 11th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I’m not gumming it yet so I’m safe.
October 11th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
I’ve read that gum disease can cause heart disease, maybe that’s why it affects your brain, too, the inflammation, I mean.
October 11th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Bill,
I think they’re talking about gum disease, not pulling teeth for cosmetic reasons. But I could be wrong about that.