Restorative dentistry Shreveport
It’s very common for people to lose teeth as they age. CDC statistics show that 17% of Americans over age 65 have lost all of their teeth. Fortunately, this number is declining relative to previous years, as more people get access to high-quality dental care. Still, tooth loss affects a very large number of people, especially those in older age groups.
Losing one or more teeth often has a significant impact on a person’s confidence and self-esteem, as well as on their ability to bite and chew. It turns out that it can have other serious implications as well. A recent study shows that tooth loss can impact a person’s cognitive function and risk of dementia.
Tooth loss increases dementia risk
The study looked at data from more than 34,000 people. The study showed that, compared with people who had not lost any teeth, those who had lost teeth had a 28% increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia. They had a 48% increased risk of cognitive impairment, which is a milder precursor to dementia.
The risk was greater for those who had lost more teeth. People who had lost all of their teeth had a 40% increased risk of dementia.
How does tooth loss impact the brain?
Researchers are still not certain exactly how tooth loss impacts the brain, but some possible mechanisms have been proposed. One of these is social interaction. It’s already well known that social interaction is important for keeping the brain healthy, and those who become more isolated have a higher risk of dementia. When people lose teeth, they may start to avoid social interactions, because of their difficulties with chewing and speaking or because they’re embarrassed to show their smile. As they become more isolated, their dementia risk would increase.
Another possibility is that losing teeth leads to poor nutrition. Without the ability to bite and chew well, people’s diets tend to become more limited. The lack of nutrients in the diet could impact the health of the brain. Still another possibility is that losing teeth leads to inflammation in the gums. Over time, this inflammation could have an impact on the brain, causing damage that leads to dementia.
Importantly, treating tooth loss seemed to have a significant impact. Using dentures regularly virtually eliminated the association between tooth loss and dementia. This points to social interaction as the cause of the association – once people’s smiles are restored, they feel fine with socializing, and this helps to protect their brains.
Restorative dentistry Shreveport
For those who are missing one or more teeth, this study points to the vital importance of addressing tooth loss. This could help to protect your brain, as well as improve the quality of your life. Dentures are one option. For those who want more comfort and security, dental implants provide a very good alternative. Four to six implants can even be used to support a full denture, for those who are missing all of their teeth.
To discuss your options for replacing your missing teeth, we invite you to schedule an appointment here in our office. Dr. Adam Cormier has a special interest in dental implants, and has undergone extensive training in this area. He would be happy to spend time talking with you about your tooth replacement options so that you can choose what’s best for you. To book your appointment, please contact our office.
