'Tooth loss link to increased risk of dementia'

Conclusion This study adds to the evidence that good oral health is linked to good overall health, including a reduction in the chances of developing dementia in later life. But the research doesn't prove that regular tooth brushing will prevent dementia. We don't know what causes dementia. From research so far, it looks as if there are a number of interlinked causes. Brain health and ageing are likely to be affected by factors including diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol use, blood pressure and genetics. While living a healthy lifestyle may certainly reduce the chances of dementia, there are no guarantees. This study has a few limitations. The number of people in the study, and the number who got dementia, was relatively small. That means we should be cautious about the results, especially when looking at Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia separately. Only 42 people of 1,566 people had vascular dementia, so it's hard to draw conclusions based on such small numbers. That's why we say some of the results could be down to chance. This type of study does not allow us to say whether the factors studied (tooth loss) directly caused the outcome (dementia). There are lots of possible confounding factors. Although the researchers tried to account for some of them, there may be others that were missed. But don't throw away your toothbrush. Good oral health is important for many reasons, and it may play a role in reducing the risk of dementia. What we don't know is how bi...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Mental health Neurology Older people Source Type: news