In Case You Haven't Heard…

Could gum health be a risk factor for dementia? Anyone who has had gum disease is probably familiar with the discomfort and embarrassment of poor oral health, such as bad breath, bleeding, discolored teeth and even tooth loss, CNN Health reported. But gum disease, especially the more advanced type known as periodontal disease, can affect far more than our mouths. Periodontal disease is associated with a wide range of health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and dementia, making the reduced access to dental care during the COVID‐19 pandemic a significant concern, dentists say. “We looked at people's dental health over a 20‐year period and found that people with the most severe gum disease at the start of our study had about twice the risk for mild cognitive impairment or dementia by the end,” said study author Ryan Demmer, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis. Demmer said his study only shows an association between an unhealthy mouth and dementia and cannot prove any cause and effect. “Further study is needed to demonstrate the link between microbes in your mouth and dementia, and to understand if treatment for gum disease can prevent dementia,” he added. The new study was published July 29 in Neurology .