Oral health of individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's disease: A review

Abstract

This paper explores the epidemiological evidence about oral health of individuals with neurodegenerative conditions of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify the relevant research papers published during January 2012 to June 2020. All cross-sectional, case–control, and cohort studies reporting oral and dental morbid conditions for status and association with AD and dementia were explored. The explored literature from 22 studies shows that oral health parameters of oral health and levels of oral inflammatory markers were deranged and exaggerated in patients suffering from AD and dementia. Many studies have observed poor oral hygiene as result of lack or irregularity in toothbrushing. Regarding decayed, missing, and filled teeth status in AD/dementia populations, no significant difference is reported. Periodontal diseases have been noted at raised levels in AD and dementia patients and shown progression with aggravation in neurological disorders. Both edentulousness and low chewing efficacies are associated with low cognition. Stomatitis and coated tongue and other oral pathologies are significantly higher in AD patients. AD patients have demonstrated higher bacterial load and inflammation levels than controls, and consequently, inflammatory biomarker levels are also raised. AD patients have reduced salivary secretions and with low buffering capacity. Evidence from the current literature update postulates that individuals suffering from AD and dementia have special oral health-care needs. Appropriate oral health management may thus significantly improve their oral health-related and general quality of life.

Doença de Alzheimer no contexto da odontologia: Uma revisão integrativa / Alzheimer's disease in the context of dentistry: An integrative review

“…Estudos tem sugerido uma associação entre distúrbios neurológicos e a disfunção salivar, assim como as medicações utilizadas no tratamento da doença de Alzheimer causam a xerostomia como efeito colateral (DELWEL, et al, 2018;HAMZA, et al, 2021). Gao et al (2020) reporta que pacientes com doença de Alzheimer apresentam uma redução no fluxo salivar, mais especificamente da glândula submandibular, tanto quando estimulados tanto quando em repouso.…”

Oral frailty among dentate and edentate older adults in long-term care

“…The residents in LTCF often have impaired cognition, and dementia is common. In previous studies, edentulism was associated with low cognition, and Alzheimer’s disease was linked to higher oral bacterial load and inflammation levels [ 51 ]. Alzheimer’s disease increases the risk for tooth loss, as oral cleaning is neglected or even forgotten when functional capacity is impaired.…”

Emerging role of the host microbiome in neuropsychiatric disorders: overview and future directions

“…A well-established association exists between poor oral health, specifically periodontitis, and an increased risk of developing AD or PD (Fig. 3 ) [ 100 – 102 ]. A cross-sectional study has revealed links between oral health-related stressors and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with AD [ 103 ].…”