(Elizabeth Pratt/ Healthline) — People with poor dental hygiene are 21 percent more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
That’s according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society that found that poor oral health as well as tooth loss increased the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
“From a clinical perspective, our findings emphasize the importance of monitoring and management of periodontal health in the context of dementia prevention,” the study authors wrote.
“Given the impact of cognitive deterioration on periodontal health, oral health professionals are well-placed to track and intervene in early changes in periodontal health and oral self-care,” they added. (…)