The Dentist's Chair: Study links dementia with poor oral care
Dear Dr. Reitz: My husband has poor dental hygiene habits. I
have told him that brushing at least once a day is necessary for
a healthy mouth, but he often goes to bed without brushing
because of being tired. In addition to bad breath and possibly
developing dental problems, are there any other health concerns
that are linked to poor brushing habits? I need to scare him
into better brushing habits to help improve my quality of life.
- Jessica Dear Jessica: Medical science is only beginning to
understand the interrelationship between oral health and overall
physical health. Studies have found a correlation between poor
oral health and an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.
A newly published article relates poor brushing habits with an
increased risk of dementia. It may seem obvious that people with
dementia forget to brush their teeth, but this study found
people who forget to brush their teeth were more likely to
develop dementia. The stu