You may think that taking care of your teeth and gums is mostly cosmetic, but the truth is, your mouth is more connected to your overall health than you might realize.
Researchers have uncovered strong links between oral health and brain health, especially among older adults. So, those regular dental checkups might be doing more than just keeping your smile bright, they could be protecting your memory and cognitive function, too.
And there’s another good reason to schedule your next dental cleaning. Altus Dental™ has teamed up with AAA Northeast to offer exclusive dental coverage for AAA Northeast members in Massachusetts.
Here are five ways that oral health and cognitive health are connected.
Mouth bacteria can move to the brain.
The bacteria that causes gingivitis has been found in the brains of those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis can move from the mouth to the brain. Once in the brain, the bacteria releases enzymes that can impact the function of neurons and lead to memory loss.
Inflammation in the gums can raise dementia risk.
When bacteria attacks the gums, it not only causes inflammation in the mouth but throughout the body — including the brain. Researchers have found that prolonged, excessive brain inflammation can put you at higher risk for cognitive decline.
One way to lower your risk is to keep up with regular checkups at the dentist, made easier with the affordable coverage from Altus Dental.
Good oral health helps feed your brain.
Anyone who has had a toothache knows how quickly it can change your diet just to avoid the pain. In the long term, poor oral health can limit what food you are able to chew, which can often lead to a less healthy diet. A diet deficient in nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and proteins has been shown to be a significant risk factor for cognitive decline. That makes it even more important to fix issues with oral health before they lead to a long-term shift in diet.
Missing teeth are linked to cognitive impairment.
Researchers reviewing 14 studies on oral health and cognitive health found that older adults with missing teeth had a 48% higher risk of cognitive impairment and a 28% higher risk of dementia. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the same researchers found that older adults who used dentures did not have a significantly higher risk of dementia, possibly because dentures can help people with tooth loss maintain a healthier diet. If you experience tooth loss, ask your dentist about options for dental prostheses.
Regular dental checkups can lower the risk of cognitive decline.
Long-term studies of large populations of older adults show that those who regularly visit the dentist lose fewer teeth and have better oral health. That means those older adults are likely at lower risk of cognitive decline.
Going to the dentist at least twice a year is an investment in your overall well-being, and with exclusive savings on dental insurance with Altus Dental, AAA members living in Massachusetts don’t have to don’t put off their next dental visit any longer.
Altus Dental provides easy access to in-network care with more than 10,000 locations locally and nearly 420,000 nationwide.
Explore the benefits and enroll today.
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