I know the quote below starts by referencing a here-unidentified attitude….
Dr. Henry Chiang, a Newport Beach, Calif., dentist who has launched a 2010 Oral Health Campaign for Seniors, wants to reverse that attitude.
His efforts to make seniors more aware of gum disease and denture care comes at the same time that New York University dental researchers have found the first long-term evidence that periodontal (gum) disease could increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease in healthy individuals as well as those already impaired.
The NYU study offers fresh evidence that gum inflammation might contribute to brain inflammation, neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Chiang adds dry mouth conditions can exacerbate the problem. “For patients who suffer from dry mouth, contaminated dentures pose potential health risks. Dentures are porous and can harbor a huge number of harmful bacteria.
“In addition, the likelihood of dry mouth increases with the number of medications a person takes. Since people over 65 use an average of three prescriptions and two over-the-counter medications per day, they stand a good chance of suffering dry mouth. Denture wearers with reduced salivary flow should be particularly concerned about the cleanliness of their dentures and serious health risks associated with contaminated dentures.”
For the rest: Neglecting your teeth may lead to Alzheimer’s