Your brain will thank you: gums, teeth and memory
Do You Know? For patients.
Looking after your gums and keeping your teeth may do more than protect your smile. Large studies that followed people for years have linked gum disease and tooth loss with a higher chance of memory problems later in life.
What the research shows
A review of 47 long-term studies found that poor gum health was linked with a higher risk of cognitive decline (about 23% higher) and of dementia (about 21% higher).
A review of 18 studies with over 350,000 people found that tooth loss was linked with a 15 to 20% higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
Risk rose with each extra tooth lost. In one review, the link was not significant in people who wore dentures to replace missing teeth.
What this does and does not mean
These are associations. They do not prove that gum disease causes dementia, and the quality of the evidence is still limited.
Possible explanations include long-term inflammation, poorer diet when chewing is difficult, and less stimulation from chewing.
It also works the other way: people with early memory problems often find it harder to look after their teeth.
Practical steps
Treat bleeding gums early and keep regular cleanings.
Replace missing teeth so you can chew a full, varied diet.
If a family member has memory problems, help them keep up their dental care and check-ups.
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This article is general information and not a substitute for an examination.
References
Asher S, et al. Periodontal health, cognitive decline, and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022;70(9):2695-2709. doi:10.1111/jgs.17978
Li L, et al. Tooth loss and the risk of cognitive decline and dementia: a meta-analysis of cohort studies. Front Neurol. 2023;14:1103052. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1103052
Qi X, et al. Dose-response meta-analysis on tooth loss with the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2021;22(10):2039-2045. doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2021.05.009
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