Risk factor
Periodontitis may increase the risk of dementia
Scientists have found out that periodontitis is a risk factor for developing dementia – one of the main causes of disability in the elderly, – writes eurekalert.org (Periodontitis may raise the risk for developing dementia) with reference to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Choi et al., Association of Chronic Periodontitis on Alzheimer's Disease or Vascular Dementia).
Gum disease (gingivitis), which is not treated, can become periodontitis. When this happens, an infection that leads to the loss of the bone supporting the teeth. Periodontitis is the main cause of tooth loss in adults and, as it turned out, one of the risk factors for dementia.
According to the UN forecast, by 2050, 1 in 85 people will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia. Reducing the risk factors leading to dementia and Alzheimer's disease can potentially reduce the likelihood of developing these conditions in older people.
A research team from South Korea studied the health information of 262,349 people aged 50 years and older. All participants were grouped either as healthy (without chronic periodontitis) or as patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. The researchers followed the participants from January 1, 2005 until one of two things happened: they were diagnosed with dementia or they died before the end of December 2015.
The researchers found that people with chronic periodontitis had a 6-10 percent higher risk of developing dementia than people without periodontitis.
This relationship persisted despite habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption and the degree of physical activity. According to the researchers, this is the first study to demonstrate that chronic periodontitis may be associated with a higher risk of dementia even after lifestyle consideration.
The researchers proposed to conduct future studies to find out whether the prevention and treatment of chronic periodontitis can lead to a reduction in the risk of developing dementia.
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