Gum Health Could Be a Risk Factor for Dementia, Study Suggests

A study published in Neurology uncovered a link between stages of periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth and bone loss, and mild cognitive impairment and dementia two decades later, reports CNN . "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," noted University of Minnesota School of Public Health Professor Ryan Demmer. He said it remains unclear whether periodontal disease actually causes dementia. "My core hypothesis is that bacteria in the mouth that cause periodontal disease are also a cause of systemic outcomes cardiovascular disease, dementia, etc.," Demmer explained. He further suggested a more indirect connection, with cardiometabolic ailments like cardiovascular disease and diabetes acting as intermediary drivers. Analysis of a subgroup of study participants revealed that gum disease was related to both Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. "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," Demmer concluded.