Visiting the dentist regularly isn’t just crucial for optimal dental health. Yes, the routine examination and clean and polish with prophy paste and other preventative dental supplies is critical for fresh breath and the longevity of your teeth, but it’s also essential for your overall physical and mental wellbeing.
One specific health issue impacting more Australians all the time is Alzheimer’s disease. Large scientific studies and medical research have identified a clear link between gum disease and the development of Alzheimer’s.
The oral cavity is home to more than 700 species of bacteria. Some of these are beneficial; many are not.
Gum disease arises when the gums and tissues supporting and surrounding the teeth become infected (periodontitis). This causes pain, swelling, bleeding, tooth loosening, and tooth loss. The inflammatory molecules and bacteria from these infected tissues can travel through the bloodstream to other organs, including the brain, where they destroy nerve cells.
Some of the harmful bacteria associated with gum disease have been closely associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, especially vascular dementia.
Studies have demonstrated that older adults who have mouth infections and/or gum disease are significantly more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease – to the extent that oral infection may be the trigger that sets in motion what ultimately leads to Alzheimer’s diagnoses and deaths.
Older people are more likely to experience poor oral hygiene, cavities, gum disease, and loss of teeth. Furthermore, older adults who have lost teeth have a greater risk of cognitive impairment – and this risk increases with each missing tooth. Researchers have found that those older people with more missing teeth were almost 50% more likely to be cognitively impaired and almost 30% more likely to suffer from dementia.
It is interesting to note that, for people missing teeth but with dentures, the risk of dementia was not significantly higher than for those who were not missing teeth at all.
A major key to maintaining your cognition into old age is to prevent gum disease. This means preventing and treating gingivitis, dental cavities, and periodontitis…
- Brush and floss your teeth twice daily
- Don’t smoke
- Avoid sugary drinks
- See your dentist at least once every six months for a checkup and clean
As a dentist, you need the right dental supplies in Australia at hand at the right time. From Ultradent to prophy paste, dental needles to dental burs, and everything else you need, we have it all at Adam Dental Supplies.
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