Deteriorating Oral Health Provides Warning Signs for Dementia

Time and again, we have warned that dental problems are often a sign of other health problems. None, however, may be bigger than this warning sign for seniors. A new study is now indicating that a senior having problems chewing or tooth loss may be a sign of dementia.

A study conducted by the Karolinska Institute’s Department of Dental Medicine looked at 557 people that were 77 years of age or older. Among the categories studied were mental status, chewing ability, and tooth loss.

So, just how are these possibly linked up?

Chewing Plays Key Role in Overall Mental Well-being

Past studies have found that chewing encourages blood to flow to the brain. Since those with less teeth are less likely to chew harder foods or even chew for that matter, they will naturally have less blood flow to the brain. That loss of blood flow to the brain is what researches believe could lead to dementia.

The issue was further studied by the American Geriatrics Society. Even after taking into account outside factors such as sex, age, mental health, and education, the results were still the same. In addition, their research backed up the data surrounding the chewing factor.

This information makes it of the utmost importance that seniors continue to maintain an active oral hygiene program whether they have dentures or their natural teeth. Also of significance is their diet. With chewing playing such a large role in these studies, it is clear seniors cannot exist on “mushy” foods and soups. It is imperative that they actually have food they can chew to encourage the blood flow to their brains.

Living situations for seniors obviously vary. Today, we can expect to live well into our 80s, but will more than likely need help at some point. Be it an assisted living facility or children caring for their elderly parents, attention will have to be paid to seniors’ diets as they get older. This is especially true if seniors are in a home or living by themselves.

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