Severe Periodontitis, Tooth Loss Linked to Mild Cognitive Impairment, Dementia
A study published in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests periodontitis may be linked to mild cognitive impairment and dementia later in life, especially when it is severe and results in tooth loss.
A study published in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests periodontitis may be linked to mild cognitive impairment and dementia later in life, especially when it is severe and results in tooth loss.
The study evaluated 4,559 participants at the end of the study when they had been followed for an average of 18 years. A total of 1,569 people (19%) developed dementia during the study.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis determined that when looking at mild cognitive impairment and dementia, the risk for dementia was greater among those with severe periodontal disease and tooth loss and those without teeth than compared to participants with healthy gingiva.
