Expert reveals simple toothbrushing habits that could hold the secret to slowing down dementia
A new study has revealed that there are some simple habits you can pick up while brushing your teeth that could have long lasting impacts on your cognitive function.
This comes after experts discovered that there were improvements in dementia patients after having certain dental treatment.
As reported in the Korea Biomedical Review, Professor Lee Jung-tae from the One-Stop Collaborative Care Center at Seoul National University Dental Hospital (SNUDH) detailed how studies have shown ‘improvements in cognitive function among dementia patients after damaged molars were restored with fixed prostheses’.
Lee explained: “For patients with severe dementia, an oral care plan should be established to ensure thorough oral hygiene and prevent their oral health from worsening.”
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He continued: “Oral care for dementia patients starts with changing the perception that dementia treatment should come first after diagnosis and oral care can wait until later.
“A multidisciplinary approach that combines timely periodontal treatment, restoration of chewing function and consistent oral hygiene maintained jointly by patients and their caregivers is the most effective way to slow dementia-related cognitive decline.”
So, maintaining good oral hygiene is recommended as possibly slowing down memory loss for people who have been diagnosed with dementia.
This is because clean teeth and gums stop harmful mouth bacteria from spreading to the brain and can help to protect brain health.
Tips for maintaining good oral health
- Make sure to keep a regular routine of brushing teeth twice a day every day.
- Clean any soft dentures in the right way.
- Go to the dentist for regular checkups.
A study for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that it ‘reinforces previous evidence that oral health status, particularly tooth loss, may be linked to increased risk of dementia’.
The study explains: “Both periodontal disease and dental decay contribute to tooth loss — periodontal disease through its inflammatory-driven effect on supporting structure, and dental decay through the progressive breakdown of tooth structure.
“We found that visiting a dentist at least annually is associated with a lower SCD prevalence in our study’s middle-aged group, likely because of preventive care that helps maintain oral health. Unexpectedly, middle-aged people who had all their teeth removed had a lower prevalence of SCD compared with those who lost 6 or more teeth but not all, possibly due to receiving prosthodontic treatment that supports masticatory function. Among older adults, no significant association was observed for those who had all their teeth removed. These observations suggest that dental rehabilitation may help lower cognitive risks.”