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Oral health in Alzheimer's disease: a multicenter case-control study
F Aragón1, M A Zea-Sevilla2, J Montero3
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Calle Alfonso X El Sabio s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain. fernan_z14z@hotmail.com.
Clinical Oral Investigations
|February 25, 2018
Summary
Alzheimer's patients show significantly poorer oral health, including more dental decay, gum disease, and oral infections, compared to controls. This highlights the need for targeted dental care strategies for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Oral Health
- Neurology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Oral health is crucial for overall well-being, especially in elderly populations.
- The oral health status of Alzheimer's patients requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an oral health assessment in Alzheimer's patients.
- To hypothesize the link between Alzheimer's disease characteristics and oral health outcomes.
- To compare oral health parameters between Alzheimer's patients and a control group.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 70 Alzheimer's patients and 36 controls.
- Oral examinations assessed indices like DMFT/DMFS, CPI, prosthetic status, and oral hygiene.
- Saliva samples were analyzed for volume, pH, and microbiological parameters related to caries risk.
Main Results:
- Alzheimer's patients had fewer teeth, fewer fillings, and less periodontal health.
- Worse oral hygiene, increased use of removable prostheses, and higher rates of candidiasis and cheilitis were observed.
- Reduced salivary flow and lower buffering capacity were significant findings in the Alzheimer's group.
Conclusions:
- Alzheimer's patients exhibit poorer oral health, including caries and periodontal disease, compared to controls, even after adjusting for age.
- Increased prevalence of mucosal lesions like cheilitis and candidiasis is noted.
- Saliva quantity and quality are compromised in Alzheimer's patients, necessitating tailored clinical management.
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