Oral Health and Dementia

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Oral Health and Dementia
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How Regular Dental Visits Can Help Reduce Your
Risk of Memory Diseases
Over the last decade, new research has surfaced
that has indicated something that dentists have
long been saying there is a link between how
well you take care of your teeth and gums and
your overall health. But while this information
has been known for some time, more recent
findings point to the reduction in the risk of
memory conditions, such as Dementia, in
particular.
Dr. Parley Hubler, Jr. of Lucas Family Dentistry
agrees that, theres a real benefit to taking
care of your teeth for the long-term betterment
of your health. We want patients to know that we
take great care in helping to reduce the onset of
gum disease and are quick to treat it whenever it
appears to help keep patients overall health
intact.
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Several studies have pointed to the connection
between lingeringbacteria in the mouth and gums
that can travel through the bloodstreamand into
the brain. There have been findings that suggest
as many as 4in 10 patients with diagnosed
Dementia also have a gum bacteria called
Porphyromonas gingivalis..
Its found in the brain at the time of testing.
There is still so much that is unknown about the
cause of Alzheimers Disease and Dementia, but
one thing is for sure, its just one more thing
to educate patients about to help them stay as
healthy as possible
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Research Suggest Good Oral Health Could Improve
Overall Health
Particular bacteria, like that found in the brain
samples where Dementia was also present may be
linked to other issues such as immune responses
and nerve cell death. This is extreme, but it
drives home the point of how important it is for
patients to take care of their teeth. Its
something that continues to be taken for granted
and as dental professionals, we offer a real
chance of contributing to the overall improvement
and sustainability of a patients general
health, says Dr. Hubler.
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Many people think that health is driven by eating
right and exercising, getting enough sleep and
avoiding stressful situations, but there is much
to be said about increasing visits to the dental
office, regular cleanings, and of course,
brushing and flossing. Dr. Hubler goes on to say,
patients may feel slightly embarrassed when
they are asked about their brushing habits, but
we dont ask them to shame them. We ask them so
we can get an accurate representation of their
oral health. Failing memory does not have to be
a part of old-age, yet younger and younger
patients are experiencing issues with memory
loss, Alzheimers disease and Dementia. If
brushing your teeth regularly is a simple thing
that can reduce the risk of developing these
conditions, it only makes sense to implement that
simple step.
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However, despite repeated conversations and
discussions about how to care for our teeth and
bodies, people have all kinds of reasons for not
taking their health and wellness seriously. Its
just human nature to think these things wont
happen to us. When you are talking about
something like Dementia, most people think that
its something they need to worry about when they
are older, but now is the time to take action to
prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Allen dentist, Dr. Hubler, Jr. takes the time
to explain and remind his patients, especially
adult patients, that theres only one set of
teeth that need to be taken care of and it
shouldnt take a backseat in the overall approach
to health.
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Dental Professionals Can Be a Part of Your Health
Management Team
Frequent visits to the dentist dont just help to
keep your teeth clean. These visits provide
important information to dental professionals
about your overall health and they provide an
opportunity for full examinations, x-rays, and
assessments to determine gum health changes that
may impact your health later on. The technology
we use today allows us to create digital pictures
of what someones mouth and gums will look like
years from now if problems arent solved, and we
can use that information to help determine how to
prevent and treat those issues before they become
worse.
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Right now, much of the health information people
have is derived from a visit to their family
doctor, health specialist, or emergency room.
Patients dont think to turn to their dental
professionals to gain insight into their health,
but theres a reason why expectant mothers are
referred to dentists during pregnancy we know
that issues in the gums and mouth can travel
through the bloodstream and impact the babys
health. Pregnant women are encouraged to see a
dentist early on to determine the state of their
oral health and to prevent issues from arising
during the pregnancy, reminds Dr. Hubler.
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More Research Could Shed Light on Opportunities
for Prevention and Treatment
While much of what is known about Alzheimers
disease and Dementia befalls medical doctors and
researchers, dental professionals are just
starting to get in on the conversation and
contribute to what could be a massively new
approach to improving health and wellness. Much
of the assumptions about how to prevent and
manage such conditions are based in theory and
more research and testing is needed to confirm
the connection. Its really a chicken and egg
situation, comments Dr. Hubler, its not yet
known if the bacteria causes or is linked to
Dementia or Dementia is causing the bacterial
build up. Only time will tell as research
continues.