Oral dysfunctions and cognitive impairment/dementia

Abstract

The number of people with dementia is increasing worldwide and is projected to double every 20 years to 74.7 million by 2030 and 131.5 million by 2050. As of 2001, globally, the number of people with dementia aged 60 years or older was estimated to be 24.3 million, and the prevalence of dementia was 3.9%; therefore, approximately 4.6 million new-onset dementia patients will be diagnosed annually (Ferri et al., 2005). Compared with the 2009 report, the prevalence is increasing in Asia and Africa, especially in low-and middle-income countries. However, the prevalence has declined in Europe and North America. Various studies have been conducted on the development of treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but at present, no effective countermeasures are available. With the increasing number of dementia patients, attention has focused on mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a predementia stage. MCI is a concept proposed by Petersen et al. in 1995, and it is defined as a condition in which cognitive function is lower than expected owing to physiological aging changes, but is not dementia. In MCI, the ability to carry out daily activities

Low Tongue Strength and the Number of Teeth Present Are Associated with Cognitive Decline in Older Japanese Dental Outpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, a study has shown that tooth loss reduces the input of periodontal mechanoreceptors from the trigeminal nerve, which affects the hippocampus-dependent cognitive function [ 41 ]. Another study has focused on the effect of the impaired neurotransmission on changes in the trigeminal nervous system-related neural pathways to the hippocampus [ 42 ]. Therefore, it may be important to maintain oral health so that the brain can be stimulated through the periodontal membrane.…”

Risk Factors for Aspiration Pneumonia among Elderly Patients in a Community-Based Integrated Care Unit: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…Regarding cognitive function, Naruishi, et al, reported that cognitive decline is a risk factor for aspiration pneumonia among elderly hospitalized patients [ 33 ]. Further, patients with declining cognitive function are more likely to have a deteriorating oral environment due to factors such as loss of interest in their own personal appearance, lack of understanding of how to use items, and reduced hand dexterity [ 34 ]. In this study, cognitive function as measured by the MMSE was not associated with aspiration pneumonia, although the participants in the pneumonia group scored lower than those in the non-pneumonia group on the FIM cognitive items of comprehension, representation, and problem solving.…”

Speech and the swallowing threshold in single implant overdenture wearers: A paired control study

“…Speech and mastication play fundamental roles in human life; the production of sounds associated with gestures enables communication between subjects, and mastication enables food comminution, bolus formation and nutritional intake. 1,2 These functions can be poor due to advancing age, 2,3 and systemic diseases and buccal alterations, such as xerostomia and tooth loss, can make communication and mastication even more difficult for elderly people. 2,[4][5][6] Thus, fully edentulous elderly people are amongst those experiencing the most negative effects on speech and mastication.…”

“…1,2 These functions can be poor due to advancing age, 2,3 and systemic diseases and buccal alterations, such as xerostomia and tooth loss, can make communication and mastication even more difficult for elderly people. 2,[4][5][6] Thus, fully edentulous elderly people are amongst those experiencing the most negative effects on speech and mastication.…”