In a recent episode of the Zoe Health Podcast, dental expert Dr. Alp Kantarci revealed crucial advice that could help people avoid dementia. According to Dr. Kantarci, emerging research indicates that individuals suffering from oral diseases are at a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Dr. Kantarci explained that extensive scientific studies involving millions of individuals have established a strong correlation between gum disease and brain disorders. The findings are starting. He stated, “We know that oral diseases, specifically periodontal diseases, can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative diseases by about 1.5 to twofold. For dementia, the increase is around twofold, and for Alzheimer’s disease, it ranges from 1.1 to 1.5 .”
The alarming statistics prompted Zoe CEO Jonathan Wolf to express his surprise: “So that’s enormous. Just to make sure I understand, you are saying that having oral disease doubles the chance of getting dementia compared to not having it.”
Dr. Kantarci, a dementia expert, emphasized that the relationship between poor dental health and dementia is bidirectional. “The reverse is also true,” he noted. “Having Alzheimer’s disease can increase your chance of getting gum disease by about 1.5 to twofold. It’s a bidirectional link between these conditions, highlighting the importance of oral health.”
As a professor, scientist, dentist, oral health researcher, periodontist, dental implant surgeon, and senior staff member at the Forsyth Institute, Dr. Kantarci’s insights are well-grounded in his extensive experience and research. The Forsyth Institute is an independent research organization focusing on the connections between oral health and overall wellness.
Jonathan Wolf further explored the implications of this relationship: “It’s not just that someone has dementia and thus worse oral health. You suggest that poor oral health can actually cause dementia? And although intervention studies take a long time, you’re working on them .”
Dr. Kantarci underscored the importance of intervention studies, which aim to improve oral health as a preventative measure against dementia. “Intervention studies are going to be extremely important because they will show how much we can reduce the risk and identify which populations are resistant to risk reduction. These studies will clarify how much of the risk is due to oral sources versus systemic impacts of oral diseases .”
He concluded, “While current studies indicate that poor oral hygiene may increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, intervention studies will help determine the effectiveness of improving oral health in reducing these risks.”
You Might Be Interested In
