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08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Tooth loss and periodontal disease predict poor cognitive function in older men
Elizabeth Krall Kaye1, Aileen Valencia, Nivine Baba
1Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. kralle@bu.edu
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|April 20, 2010
Summary
Tooth loss, periodontal disease, and caries increase the risk of cognitive decline in men. Maintaining oral health is crucial for preserving cognitive function, especially in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Oral health research
- Cognitive decline studies
- Longitudinal health research
Background:
- Cognitive decline is a growing public health concern.
- Oral health is increasingly recognized for its systemic health implications.
- Factors contributing to cognitive decline require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between oral health indicators and cognitive decline in men.
- To determine if tooth loss, periodontal disease, and caries predict cognitive decline.
- To explore age-related differences in these associations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 597 dentate men (aged 28-70 at baseline).
- Follow-up duration of up to 32 years with oral examinations every ~3 years.
- Cognitive function assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a spatial copying task starting in 1993.
Main Results:
- Each tooth lost per decade increased the risk of low MMSE and spatial copying scores.
- Progression of periodontal disease (bone loss, pocket depth) and caries were associated with cognitive decline.
- These risks were higher in men older than 45.5 at baseline.
Conclusions:
- Tooth loss is a significant predictor of cognitive decline in men.
- Periodontal disease and caries, common causes of tooth loss, are also linked to cognitive decline.
- Oral health maintenance may play a role in preserving cognitive function, particularly in older men.
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