A recent study highlights that older adults with both diabetes and complete tooth loss experience more severe and faster cognitive decline than those without these conditions.
The research emphasizes the vital role of dental care and diabetes management in mitigating the impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Led by Bei Wu, Vice Dean for Research at New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing, the research team analyzed 12 years of data (2006-2018) from nearly 10,000 older adults involved in the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study.
They evaluated memory and cognitive function biennially while considering tooth loss, diabetes, and other health and demographic factors.
Findings of the Study
The study revealed that adults aged 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 with both diabetes and complete tooth loss had worse cognitive function than their peers without these conditions.
Notably, those aged 65 to 74 with both conditions experienced the fastest rate of cognitive decline.
Part 4: Link Between Diabetes, Oral Health, and Cognitive Decline
Both diabetes and poor oral health are recognized risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia.
Diabetes can lead to high blood sugar, inflammation, insulin resistance, and related heart diseases, potentially causing changes in the brain.
Poor oral health, including gum disease and tooth loss, has also been connected to cognitive impairment and dementia.
Factors like inflammation, dietary changes due to painful gums or missing teeth, and the resulting nutritional deficiency can exacerbate cognitive impairment, particularly when coupled with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in diabetes.
Recommendations
In light of these findings, the researchers stress the importance of regular dental visits, adherence to diabetes treatment, and cognitive screenings for older adults with both poor oral health and diabetes.
Wu notes, “Access to dental care for older adults—especially those with diabetes—is critical, and health care providers should educate their patients about the connection between oral health and cognition.”
The research, supported by the National Institutes of Health, was published in the Journal of Dental Research.
If you care about dental health, please read studies about best food for tooth and gum health, and how to prevent and reverse gum disease.
For more information about dental health, please see recent studies about diabetes and gum disease, and results showing this diet could help treat gum disease.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
