Japan study links tooth loss in older people to major dementia risk
TOKYO -- A Tohoku University research team found tooth loss among older people is a major risk factor for dementia, based on follow-up data from about
TOKYO - A recent study by Tohoku University researchers suggests tooth loss in older individuals is a significant risk factor for dementia. The team examined data from approximately 50,000 Japanese adults, and found tooth loss accounted for 7.2% of dementia cases. This risk factor ranks even higher than preventable factors like high LDL cholesterol and air pollution, and is the most significant risk among men.
The researchers analyzed 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia, including hearing loss and physical inactivity, but found oral health-related issues like tooth loss lacked sufficient evidence. Professor Kenji Takeuchi, who led the study, noted that tooth loss might worsen nutritional status or increase systemic inflammation, both of which could contribute to dementia risk.
He added that using dentures might help reduce this risk. With the global dementia patient population projected to triple by 2050, the findings underscore the importance of preventive measures such as maintaining good oral health and potentially quitting smoking. The research was published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.
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