Last fall, I posted about the link between chewing ability and the risk for dementia but more research has come out that describes how losing your teeth may be linked to absent-mindedness that occurs with old age, going as far as suggesting that tooth loss may be the cause of memory loss.
The previous article gave evidence that suggests the chewing motion of the jaw increases blood flow to the brain. Recent research elaborates on that finding, stating that the chewing motion and the stimulation of the teeth send sensory impulses to the hippocampus (the part of the brain that forms and retrieves memories). If you lose teeth over the span of your life, you do not having as many points for sending those sensory impulses which results in more memory loss as the hippocampus is not being stimulated enough to retrieve memories.
The recent study on this subject found that older adults with more teeth performed significantly better than older adults with less teeth. The older adults with more teeth performed better on both episodic memory tasks (tasks that involve remembering specific instances) and semantic memory tasks (tasks that involve specific facts).
Another recent study, published by the European Journal of Oral Sciences and performed by universities in Sweden and Norway, had 273 participants between the ages of 55 and 80. The average number of teeth for participants was 22 which is ten less than a full dentition. All participants were put through a series of memory tests. Researchers found that the number of natural teeth alone accounted for 20% of the variance in episodic recall, 15% of the variance in episodic recognition, and 14% of the variance in semantic memory.
The reduced blood flow and reduced stimulation from sensory signals combine to influence the memory loss in older adults. Additionally, denture wearers have a tendency to avoid certain foods, which reduces their intake of vitamins and minerals. Implants were found to increase the stimulation sent to the brain and aided denture wearers in being able to diversify what they can eat. A recent study in California also found that older adults who brush their teeth less frequently were significantly more likely to have signs of dementia.
Maintaining good oral health while brushing twice a day and flossing once are not only good for your overall health but may be protective against memory loss.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDSSmile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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