Studies Suggest: Regular Trips to the Dentist May Prevent Dementia
Announcement posted by Joondalup City Dental 10 Aug 2016
Dentist in Joondalup reveals why great oral hygiene may reduce the incidence of dementia in senior citizens.
Joondalup, WA, 10 August 2016 - It is standard for dentists to recommend to their patients that they keep their teeth and gums as healthy as possible. This usually involves brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist. Some also provide dietary information to help their patients avoid tooth decay or discolouration of the teeth. Recently, though, a dentist a Joondalup went one step further.
According to Dr Roy Sarmidi, dentist at Joondalup City Dental, maintaining great oral health provides benefits to other parts of the body, too. Recently, on his company blog, Dr Sarmidi provided some news that is compelling for people of all ages: studies suggest that maintaining excellent oral health can help prevent dementia in old age.
Years ago, a study at the Mayo Clinic in the US indicated a link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease. But an even more recent study suggests a link between gum disease and cognitive decline or dementia.
The newer study culled ten years of information compiled from 2003-2013 and was conducted by Dr Bei Wu at Duke University in the US. They used information that was collected at one data point and data that was collected over time.
They decided to check for numerous factors, including the number of teeth and number of cavities. These factors showed some connection to cognitive decline but there was also contradictory data. However, periodontal diseases such as gingivitis were shown to have a tentative link to cognitive decline and dementia.
Why This is Compelling
In both the US and Australia, cognitive decline and dementia are near-epidemic among the elderly. 5.4 million people in the US currently struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia. That number is expected to rise as high as 10.8 million by 2050. In Australia, 353,800 people reportedly suffer from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Our number is expected to rise to 400,000 by 2021 and to nearly 900,000 people in 2050.
That is a lot of dementia.
Dr Sarmidi believes there are a number of factors at play. According to Dr Sarmidi: “The studies I have read suggest that the main causal agents are bacteria and inflammation. Bacteria and inflammation from gingivitis show up in other parts of the body, such as the heart and the brain. Inflammatory factors are tentatively being identified as a possible causal agent of dementia. It is no surprise that gingivitis can be linked to heart disease or dementia.”
Dr Sarmidi continued: “Luckily, there is something you can do about this risk factor: make regular trips to the dentist and follow instructions for good oral hygiene. While it is possible to do a great job of keeping your teeth and gums clean at home, regular visits are important for two reasons. First, we can clean plaque off of your teeth better than you can. Second, we can identify potential problems before they become serious problems.”
Dr Sarmidi concluded: “When you maintain great oral health, it not only makes your smile great but also might keep you more mentally healthy in old age.”
Joondalup City Dental provides a wide range of dental services. They have an emergency dentist on hand seven days a week in their Central Joondalup office. They pride themselves on treating patients like family and creating a safe, comforting environment for all dental procedures. To learn more, call (08) 9404 9500 or visit their website: http://www.joondalupcitydental.com.au/
According to Dr Roy Sarmidi, dentist at Joondalup City Dental, maintaining great oral health provides benefits to other parts of the body, too. Recently, on his company blog, Dr Sarmidi provided some news that is compelling for people of all ages: studies suggest that maintaining excellent oral health can help prevent dementia in old age.
Years ago, a study at the Mayo Clinic in the US indicated a link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease. But an even more recent study suggests a link between gum disease and cognitive decline or dementia.
The newer study culled ten years of information compiled from 2003-2013 and was conducted by Dr Bei Wu at Duke University in the US. They used information that was collected at one data point and data that was collected over time.
They decided to check for numerous factors, including the number of teeth and number of cavities. These factors showed some connection to cognitive decline but there was also contradictory data. However, periodontal diseases such as gingivitis were shown to have a tentative link to cognitive decline and dementia.
Why This is Compelling
In both the US and Australia, cognitive decline and dementia are near-epidemic among the elderly. 5.4 million people in the US currently struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia. That number is expected to rise as high as 10.8 million by 2050. In Australia, 353,800 people reportedly suffer from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Our number is expected to rise to 400,000 by 2021 and to nearly 900,000 people in 2050.
That is a lot of dementia.
Dr Sarmidi believes there are a number of factors at play. According to Dr Sarmidi: “The studies I have read suggest that the main causal agents are bacteria and inflammation. Bacteria and inflammation from gingivitis show up in other parts of the body, such as the heart and the brain. Inflammatory factors are tentatively being identified as a possible causal agent of dementia. It is no surprise that gingivitis can be linked to heart disease or dementia.”
Dr Sarmidi continued: “Luckily, there is something you can do about this risk factor: make regular trips to the dentist and follow instructions for good oral hygiene. While it is possible to do a great job of keeping your teeth and gums clean at home, regular visits are important for two reasons. First, we can clean plaque off of your teeth better than you can. Second, we can identify potential problems before they become serious problems.”
Dr Sarmidi concluded: “When you maintain great oral health, it not only makes your smile great but also might keep you more mentally healthy in old age.”
Joondalup City Dental provides a wide range of dental services. They have an emergency dentist on hand seven days a week in their Central Joondalup office. They pride themselves on treating patients like family and creating a safe, comforting environment for all dental procedures. To learn more, call (08) 9404 9500 or visit their website: http://www.joondalupcitydental.com.au/