Chewing Difficulties Foretell Dementia

A number of previous studies suggest an association between not having teeth and loss of cognitive function and a higher risk of dementia. Mats Trulsson, from Karolinska Institutet (Sweden), and colleagues assessed tooth loss, chewing ability and cognitive function in nationally representative of the Swedish population ages 77 and older.  The researchers found that those who had difficulty chewing hard food (such as apples) had a significantly higher risk of developing cognitive impairments. This correlation remained even when controlling for sex, age, education and mental health problems, variables that are often reported to impact on cognition. Whether chewing ability was sustained with natural teeth or dentures also had no bearing on the effect.  Positing that few or no teeth makes chewing difficult, which leads to a reduction in the blood flow to the brain, the study authors conclude that: “The results add to the evidence of the association between chewing ability and cognitive impairment in elderly persons.”