People with gum disease could be 70% more likely to develop dementia
Those who suffer from long-term gum disease are 70% more likely to develop dementia, researchers have found.
According to The Times, scientists believe that inflammation caused by years of mouth problems could eventually damage the brain.
Although researchers could not prove that gum disease is a direct cause of Alzheimer's, they did say that thorough tooth-brushing could be advised to ward off dementia if the link was confirmed by further research.
The study, conducted in Taiwan, looked at 28,000 people, comparing those who had a recent diagnosis of chronic periodontitis with those who didn't over a 10-year period.
There was a marked increase in the occurrence of Alzheimer's in those who had long-term gum disease; these individuals were 70% more likely to develop the condition.
James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, told The Times:
'Although at first if does not seem obvious that gum disease could be linked to brain health, it is plausible that an immune reaction triggered by the gum disease could make its way to the brain and contribute to the development of dementia.'
However, he told people with long term gum disease not to panic, adding that while a 70% increase 'sounds like a big risk, only about one in 100 people with gum disease went on to develop dementia, showing that this figure is not necessarily a cause for alarm'.
From Good Housekeeping UK
You Might Also Like
