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中文Research Highlights
- Publish Date：2024-02-20
Attention Needed for Dementia Prevention! Latest research from NYCU reveals complex association with ‘Oral Health’.
The lead researcher of this study, Dr. Chia-Shu Lin, an Adjunct Professor at NYCU's Dental Department and Institute of Brain Science
Translated By Elaine Chuang
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Preventing dementia goes beyond exercising the brain and engaging in social activities; paying close attention to one's oral health now appears crucial. Recently, the dental department at NYCU published a report in the international medical journal 'Ageing Research Review,' revealing substantial evidence supporting a strong correlation between severe periodontal disease, extensive tooth loss, and dementia.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare estimates that the dementia population in Taiwan exceeds 300,000, with those aged 65 and above accounting for 96%. Dementia is a general term for a disease, not simply an aging phenomenon, with Alzheimer's disease being the most well-known. In addition to memory decline, dementia also affects cognitive functions and alters personality and behavior in the human brain. Although previous studies have found a correlation between deteriorating oral health and an increased risk of dementia, the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear.
Research Evidence Indicates Strong Association Between Severe Oral Health Issues and Cognitive Impairment
The latest research from the Dental Department systematically reviewed 28 studies conducted over the past five years, analyzing the correlation between oral health and cognitive impairment. Most of these studies focused on the association between periodontal disease, oral microbiota, and Alzheimer's disease. More research evidence now supports a strong link between severe oral health issues, such as severe periodontal disease and, extensive tooth loss, and cognitive impairment.
However, there is a lack of consistent conclusions regarding other oral health issues, such as the chewing function in the elderly. Moreover, whether oral health can prevent early or mild-stage dementia has yet to receive more robust research evidence support.
The lead researcher of this study, Dr. Chia-Shu Lin, an Adjunct Professor at NYCU's Dental Department and Institute of Brain Science, noted significant divergence in the current discussions about the relationship between oral health and cognitive impairment.
The latest research from the Dental Department systematically reviewed 28 studies conducted over the past five years, analyzing the correlation between oral health and cognitive impairment. Most of these studies focused on the association between periodontal disease, oral microbiota, and Alzheimer's disease. More research evidence now supports a strong link between severe oral health issues, such as severe periodontal disease and, extensive tooth loss, and cognitive impairment.
However, there is a lack of consistent conclusions regarding other oral health issues, such as the chewing function in the elderly. Moreover, whether oral health can prevent early or mild-stage dementia has yet to receive more robust research evidence support.
The lead researcher of this study, Dr. Chia-Shu Lin, an Adjunct Professor at NYCU's Dental Department and Institute of Brain Science, noted significant divergence in the current discussions about the relationship between oral health and cognitive impairment.
However, overall, oral issues like extensive tooth loss or severe periodontal disease show the strongest association with dementia.
He emphasized that the correlation between the two should not be oversimplified into a causal relationship. For instance, while there is a connection between tooth loss and dementia, it doesn't necessarily mean that wearing dentures will prevent dementia or that increased chewing will automatically enhance cognitive function. The association between oral health and dementia cannot be simplified to the idea that regular brushing alone can prevent dementia. "These aspects require further research for confirmation," he added.
In fact, due to the gradual loss of self-care abilities that often accompanies dementia, patients may be unable to maintain their oral hygiene practices, such as brushing their teeth and rinsing. As the condition progresses, this can lead to more severe oral issues.
However, Chia-Shu Lin also noted that even though scientists cannot clarify the causal relationship, oral health still holds significant relevance to cognitive function. Unfortunately, the majority of people are not aware of this connection. "We hope to raise awareness among the public about the crucial link between oral health and cognitive well-being. Oral health should play a vital role in caring for the elderly," he emphasized.
This study, led by Professor Chia-Shu Lin from NYCU's Department of Dentistry, along with Dr. Ta-chung Chen from Taipei Veterans General Hospital's Stomatology Department, and Dr. Jong-Ling Fuh, the Director of the Department of Neurosurgery, collaborated with an international team from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The team systematically analyzed existing systematic literature using an umbrella literature review approach. The research was published in a top-tier journal in the field of geriatric medicine in January of this year and featured in a report by Newsweek in the United States.
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