The results of nine – year – old research in Japan show that the number of natural teeth can be an important indicator of the risk of degeneracy
The number of teeth you have is not just an indication of oral health and hygiene. A new study by Japan suggests that tooth loss can be significantly linked to the risk of developing a degeneracy.
The results show that poor oral health may have a more important role in brain health than previously thought.
Although scientists still do not fully understand the causes of degeneracy, studies are identifying more and more risk factors that can be affected through lifestyle and health care.
According to previous estimates, almost half of the cases of degenerability can be prevented or postponed in time through control of variable risk factors.
New Survey, published in the scientific magazine Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, suggests that even tooth care deserves greater attention in preventative strategies.
What did the study with over 47 thousand participants reveal?
Scientists analyzed the data of 47,293 people over 65, participants in the Japanese health and aging study (Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study).
Their health condition was monitored for about nine years, from 2013 to 2022.
During this period, 8,247 participants – 17.4 percent respectively – developed a problem.
Researchers used the number of remaining natural teeth as an indicator of oral health, since losing them is often the result of long – term problems, including advanced caries and severe gum disease.
The results revealed a clear link between the smaller number of teeth and the most frequent display of degeneration.
In people with at least 20 teeth were recorded 1,63 cases for 100 person-years. This rate rose to 2,31 to participants with 10 19 teeth, while to those with 1U9 teeth reached 2,97.
The highest rate, 4,34 cases per 100 person-year, was registered to people without any natural teeth.
After the statistical adaptation according to age, gender and income, the risk resulted in 14 percent higher per cent of people with 10H19 teeth, 12 percent higher in those with 1,09 teeth, and 27 percent higher in toothless persons, compared with participants who had at least 20 teeth, broadcast Telegragraphy.
Tooth loss among the most important factorsTo analyze
A particularly interesting part of the study was the comparison of tooth loss with other known risk factors for terrorism.
Through a statistical method, researchers estimated that tooth loss could be attributed potentially 7.2 percent of the cases of degeneracy in the estimated population if the relationship was cause.
Thus, tooth loss was ranked third among 13 factors analyzed, following depressive symptoms (10.5 percent) and social isolation (9.4 percent).
In males, this rate reached 12 percent, listing tooth loss as one of the factors discussed. In women, 6.1 percent was fourth.
How can tooth health affect brain function?
Scientists propose possible explanations.
First, tooth loss makes chewing difficult and can limit consumption of certain foods. This can affect the quality of feeding and the taking of important nutrients to the brain.
Second, lack of teeth can affect self – confidence and participation in social activities, favouring social isolation, an already related factor.
The third possible mechanism is inflammation. Gum disease can be accompanied by inflammatory processes that affect other parts of the organism.
However, these mechanisms remain possible explanations and have not been proven directly responsible for the degeneracy.
Does this mean that tooth loss causes damage?
No. Researchers stress that the results show a statistical connection, not proven cause-pass relationship.
The study also had restrictions, including the use of data reported by the participants themselves.
Hence, it cannot be concluded that tooth loss causes degeneracy or that preserving it necessarily prevents disease.
However, the results reinforce the importance of regular dentistry checks, treatment of gum disease, and maintenance of the chewing function.
Care for oral health can be an important part of the most extensive effort to maintain brain health during aging. /Telegraphy/