Link Between Tooth Loss and Memory Deterioration Explained by Doctor Goryachev in Krasnodar
In a groundbreaking development, the link between oral health and cognitive function is gaining increasing support from scientific research. As it turns out, maintaining good dental hygiene could be key to preserving not only our physical health but also our mental acuity.
Active jaw work, such as chewing, sends a powerful burst of activity to the central nervous system. This activity plays a crucial role in various cognitive functions, including memory, concentration, and mood. Intriguingly, the installation of dental prostheses and implants is primarily done for health reasons, not aesthetics.
The connection between oral health and cognitive function is twofold. On one hand, poor oral health can contribute to cognitive decline, including an increased risk of dementia. This is due to the migration of certain oral bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, from the mouth to the gut, triggering systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation that harm brain function and accelerate cognitive decline.
On the other hand, cognitive decline can impair oral care ability, worsening oral health, and creating a vicious cycle. This bidirectional connection highlights the importance of integrated care approaches that address dental hygiene as part of cognitive health strategies.
Poor dental health also causes chronic gum infections that release inflammatory markers into the bloodstream. These can reach the brain and negatively affect cognitive abilities like memory, attention, and concentration. Maintaining good oral hygiene reduces this inflammatory burden and may support better cognitive function.
Tooth loss, a common consequence of poor oral health, also increases the risk of dementia. Large population studies show a dose-response relationship between the number of missing teeth and cognitive impairment. Specifically, for every additional missing tooth, the risk of cognitive impairment increases by about 1.4%, and the risk of dementia increases by around 1.1%. This suggests tooth loss is a significant, modifiable risk factor for dementia.
Moreover, tooth loss or pain can limit dietary intake of essential nutrients critical for cognitive health. A diet of soft food, common among those with tooth loss, can deprive the body of a large amount of vitamins and nutrients.
Negative consequences of oral diseases can also include speech and swallowing disorders. These disorders can further impair cognitive abilities and quality of life.
In light of these findings, monitoring dental health is crucial in preventing cognitive decline. Regular dental check-ups could help in preserving memory and maintaining overall cognitive function. In 2022, neurodentists finally proved a connection between teeth and the human brain, emphasizing the importance of this link in maintaining both physical and mental health.
In conclusion, maintaining good oral health—through regular dental care, hygiene, and nutrition—may reduce chronic inflammation and bacterial translocation that exacerbate neurodegeneration, thereby lowering the risk or slowing the progression of dementia associated with tooth loss and gum disease. It's a simple step towards a healthier, more cognitively sharp future.
[1] Oral-Gut-Brain Axis and Inflammation [2] Chronic Inflammation [3] Oral-Gut-Brain Axis and Inflammation (Additional Information) [4] Tooth Loss and Dementia Risk [5] Bidirectional Relationship
- The crucial role of activation from jaw work, such as chewing, in cognitive functions like memory, concentration, and mood might be linked to science's growing understanding of the oral-gut-brain axis and inflammation.
- Mental-health implications can arise when oral health deteriorates, considering the vicious cycle of cognitive decline leading to worse oral health, and the bidirectional connection between them.
- Therapies and treatments for dementia may include addressing dental hygiene, given the increased risk of dementia associated with tooth loss, as supported by extensive research in nutrition, oral-gut-brain axis, and chronic inflammation.
