NEW YORK: Researchers from New York University (NYU) are urging the inclusion of oral health as a significant risk factor for dementia. Despite growing evidence linking poor oral health to cognitive decline, a recent report published in The Lancet failed to acknowledge its impact, instead highlighting high cholesterol and vision loss as new dementia risk factors.
Bei Wu, Dean’s Professor in Global Health and Vice Dean for Research at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, has led NIH-funded research on the connection between oral health and dementia since the early 2000s. She and her colleague Xiang Qi, PhD, RN, argue that the exclusion of oral health from the report undermines efforts to combat dementia.
Oral Health and Dementia: The Overlooked Connection
“The report offers valuable insights, but it overlooks the substantial role of oral health in dementia risk,” Wu wrote in a letter published in The Lancet. She pointed out that the report cited only two studies on dental health, despite a vast body of research demonstrating its significance.
NYU research reveals that poor oral health nearly triples the risk of dementia, surpassing common risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension. “A tremendous amount of study, like ours, has shown that oral health is a significant risk factor for dementia,” added Qi.
Decades of Research Support the Oral Health-Dementia Link
NYU’s findings build on years of studies confirming the critical link between oral health and cognitive decline:
- 2021: Wu’s study in JAMDA found that tooth loss increases the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, with the risk rising as more teeth are lost.
- 2023: NYU research showed that tooth loss combined with diabetes worsens cognitive function and accelerates decline. (Journal of Dental Research)
- July 2023: A study by Wu’s team found that gum treatment significantly reduces dementia risk in older adults with periodontal disease. Those receiving treatment had a 38% lower risk of developing dementia.
- December 2023: A study in Aging Medicine revealed that wearing dentures may help protect against cognitive decline in seniors.
Wu emphasized that oral health is a modifiable risk factor, meaning regular dental checkups, good hygiene, and preventive care can potentially lower dementia risk.
Dementia on the Rise: A Global Health Crisis
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that dementia cases will triple by 2050, affecting over 152 million people worldwide. In the U.S., dementia cases are projected to double by 2060, reaching 1 million new cases per year.
In Canada, cases are expected to jump from 597,000 in 2020 to over 1.7 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. With such staggering numbers, Wu stresses that integrating oral health into dementia prevention strategies is crucial.
A New Paradigm for Health Research
Wu, who has researched this connection for over two decades, recalls how oral health and cognitive decline were a “new topic” in 2007. Today, she advocates for a more integrated approach to health, urging researchers and policymakers to break down silos and consider the full spectrum of health influences.
“Oral health must be recognized as a major risk factor for dementia,” Wu said. “Doing so will empower dentists, healthcare providers, and policymakers to take preventive action—potentially reducing cognitive decline and improving overall well-being.”