oral health

Healthy Gums, Healthy Mind: The Surprising Link Between Oral Health and Alzheimer’s

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Could your dental routine be just as important for your brain as it is for your smile? Emerging science suggests the answer is a resounding yes. A recent case-control study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, has shed new light on the “mouth-brain connection.” Researchers investigated how periodontal inflammation (gum disease) and specific inflammatory markers in our bodily fluids relate to cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease. The Study: Investigating the Fluids of the Body Researchers analyzed 230 participants aged 50 to 80, categorizing them into four groups: The team took a deep dive into the participants’ biology, testing for inflammatory “messengers” called cytokines in three key areas: saliva, blood plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The Connection: Gum Disease and the Brain The results were striking. Participants with signs of cognitive impairment—even in the early stages—showed significantly more evidence of periodontitis … Read more

Investigation Between Oral Health and Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that attacks the brain cells responsible for memory, thinking, and behavior. Over time, the symptoms worsen, leading to memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language and reasoning, and changes in personality and behavior. In the later stages, sufferers may require assistance with daily activities. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, but it’s linked to the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain. Maintaining good oral health is essential for a good smile, but a new report suggests it may also play a role in protecting your brain. The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health has released a study highlighting a potential connection between poor oral health and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The study was published at https://www.carequest.org/system/files/CareQuest-Institute_Poor-Oral-Health-May-Contribute-to-the-Risk-of-Dementia-Visual-Report_4.25.24.pdf The report raises several interesting points. Adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s … Read more

Missing Teeth Could Lead to More Gray Hair

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An interesting article titled “Premature gray hair development in the interbrow region owing to the loss of maxillary first molars in young mice” written by Masae Furukawa and et. al. appears in Genes to Cells (published 20 February 2024). The article suggests that losing your teeth might also be affecting your appearance in a way you wouldn’t expect and suggests a link between missing teeth and premature graying hair in the eyebrows. Image by Pexels from Pixabay Chew on This: Less Chewing, More Gray Hair? This study, the first of its kind, investigated the connection between reduced chewing due to tooth loss and the development of gray hair. Researchers extracted upper first molars from young mice and observed them for three months alongside a control group that kept their teeth. Mice missing teeth developed gray hair between their eyebrows, while … Read more

Link Between Poor Oral Health and Systemic Health

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An interesting article titled “Self-reported oral health is associated with systemic health outcomes and all-cause mortality” written by Yau-Hua Yu and et. al. appears in the Journal of the American Dental Association (vol. 155, no. 3, pp. 233-243, March 2024). There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting a strong link between oral health and overall health. This article explores how just asking people about their oral health can reveal important information about their risk of developing other chronic diseases. People who indicated they had poor oral health may be as likely as those already had gum disease to have negative systemic health outcomes. Image by Dana from Pixabay The Link Between Gums and General Health Researchers have known for some time about the connection between gum disease (periodontal disease) and health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. This study looked at a different approach: using people’s … Read more

Taskforce says teledentistry can help improve global oral health

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An interesting article titled “Taskforce backs the benefits of teledentistry to improve global oral care outcomes” appears in BDJ In Practice in 2023 (volume 36, page 8). The article discusses how a task force that has conveyed has concluded that teledentistry has the ability to give millions more people than currently accross the world access to dental services. Teledentistry has been covered before on this site see for example the posts Cosmetic Dentistry in the Era of COVID-19 and Delivering Dentistry and Counseling to Patients using Telemedicine. The article discusses how the taskforce feels that teledentistry can help to improve education, dental referrals, early detection of disease, treatment planning and treatment viability. Teledentistry can be particulary helpful in areas where there is limited access to dental professionals. The taskforce understands that heping to preventive dental disease is the best option and dental professionals … Read more