By Erica Sloan Medically reviewed by Jessica Ailani, MD
August 8, 2024 https://www.self.com/story/oral-health-dementia-risk-factor
Science suggests another daily practice that may help you ward off dementia: tending to your teeth and gums. Big population studies suggest that people who have periodontal (a.k.a. gum) disease—based on things like tooth loss and gum swelling and having antibodies to disease-causing bacteria—are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or show symptoms of mild cognitive impairment or dementia than those without oral-health problems.
Speaking of, it’s also important to keep an eye out for symptoms of mild gum disease (a.k.a. gingivitis)—like gums that look swollen or bleed when you brush or floss—and communicate these to your dentist.
The more proactively you care for your teeth and the sooner you address any red flags, the better you’ll steer clear of periodontitis and safeguard your brain from the potential ripple effects along the way.
