"Chew on This: Oral health is associated with cognitive function among Canadians enrolled in the Canadian...

Life expectancy has increased globally, leading to a higher proportion of older adults, particularly in developed countries like Canada. This demographic shift strains healthcare systems and is associated with an increased risk of dementia, a condition characterised by cognitive decline. Oral health has emerged as a potential modifiable risk factor for dementia, yet the evidence remains conflicting. This study examines the association between oral health parameters and cognitive functioning in the Canadian population, utilizing data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using baseline data from the comprehensive cohort of the CLSA, comprising 30,097 participants aged 45-85 years. Oral health was assessed via self-reported oral health (SROH) and masticatory ability (MA). Cognitive function was evaluated using a battery of neuropsychological tests, and a Cognitive Impairment Indicator (CII) was derived. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between oral health and cognitive impairment, adjusting for confounders.

We found that poor SROH was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR = 1.19, 95 % CI = 0.63-2.09), while inadequate MA was significantly associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment (OR = 2.82, 95 % CI = 1.82-4.25).

The findings suggest a significant association between perceived MA and cognitive impairment within this cohort.. These results suggest that perceived ability to chew could be a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying these associations and to develop targeted preventive strategies.

This paper highlights that middle aged and elderly Canadians with inadequate MA have a 2.82 times higher odds of experiencing cognitive impairment. Addressing chewing difficulties may serve as a modifiable risk factor for early cognitive decline, offering a potential window of opportunity to slow down the process of cognitive decline among aging populations.