Cognitive function and number of teeth in a community-dwelling population in Japan

Abstract

BackgroundIt has been reported that oral health is poor in elderly populations and is associated with poor cognition and dementia. The objective of this study was to examine the association between tooth loss and cognitive function in a community-dwelling population in Japan.MethodsWe examined the association between tooth loss and cognitive function in 462 Japanese community-dwelling individuals. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was employed to measure global cognitive status. A multiple logistic regression analysis, with both crude and adjusted conditions for confounding factors, was used to assess the relationship between poor cognition and the number of remaining teeth.ResultsThe overall prevalence of poor cognition (MMSE ≤ 23) in this study population was 5.6%. Subjects with poor cognition were significantly older, less educated, scored lower in intellectual activity, and had fewer remaining teeth than those with normal cognition. According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, a lower number of teeth (0–10) was found to be a significant independent risk factor (OR = 20.21, 95% confidence interval = 2.20 to 185.47) of cognitive impairment.ConclusionsThis cross-sectional study on a Japanese community-dwelling population revealed relationships between tooth loss and cognitive function. However, the interpretation of our results was hampered by a lack of data, including socioeconomic status and longitudinal observations. Future research exploring tooth loss and cognitive function is warranted.

Decision-making deficits associated with disrupted synchronization between basolateral amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex in rats after tooth loss

“…Population studies in northern Sweden (Bergdahl et al, 2007), Japan (Saito et al, 2013), Finland (Syrjälä et al, 2007) and Germany (Grabe et al, 2009) found lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores in multiple teeth loss or edentulous people. A cross-sectional survey in Korea reported that fewer teeth was significantly related to the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in people aged 65 and older (Kim et al, 2007).…”

Does Medicaid Coverage Modify the Relationship between Glycemic Status and Teeth Present in Older Adults?

“…34 This includes fewer teeth than healthy patients, which is especially pronounced for older adults. 39 Diabetes is the only systemic disease that is recognized as a risk factor for periodontitis. 1 The bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease also suggests that a lack of access to dental care for patients with periodontal disease could lead to poor diabetes control.…”

The Relationship Between Oral Health and Cognitive Status of the Elderly

“…The results obtained in a study conducted by Hajiebrahimi et al (2009) showed that cognitive state is significantly related to use of toothpaste, use of dental floss, brushing, and last visit to dentist (16). In a cross-sectional study conducted in Japan to assess cognitive state and oral hygiene, a significant relationship was observed between brushing and cognitive state, but frequency of brushing was not cited (17). In another study conducted to assess the relationship between edentulousness and quality of life in older individuals in Isfahan city, those that brushed irregularly or had more than 5 years since their last visit to the dentist had poorer quality of life (18).…”