Oral Health Status and Nutritional Habits as Predictors for Developing Alzheimer's Disease

Poor oral health, mainly tooth loss, has been suggested to pose a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The nature of this relationship can be explained by mastication deficit and nutritional status. Also, the influence of nutritional parameters on cognitive impairment has been documented. The aim of this study was to investigate whether poor dental status and nutrition habits can be potential separate or associated risk factors for development of the AD.

The study sample included 116 patients with AD and 63 controls. Sociodemographic variables were investigated as factors potentially associated with AD. Dental examination included recording the number of natural teeth, presence of fixed or removable dentures, and the number of functional tooth units (FTUs). Nutritional status analysis included qualitative nutrition information, body mass index, serum albumin level, food consistency, and need for assistance in feeding. Regression analysis was used to investigate the predictors for development of AD.

Variables with significant differences between groups, which were analyzed by using the binary regression analysis, were marital status, residence, number of total FTUs (no matter whether the contacts were between natural teeth or dentures), eating meat/fish and fruits/vegetables, food consistency, and serum albumin level. Logistic regression analysis showed that being single/widowed/divorced, eating more meat/fish or fruit/vegetable, eating blended/mashed/liquid food, having low levels of serum albumin, and having less FTUs were significant predictors for developing dementia.

Having fewer occlusal contacts, consumption of soft food, and lower serum albumin levels can be considered as associated risk factors for AD.