Losing Teeth and Memory Problems
If you want to stay younger looking, you should take the best possible care of your teeth. Maintaining your natural teeth can actually help you to keep your memory sharp. Studies have shown that people who lose more teeth are more likely to perform poorly on memory tests. What this shows is that there is a direct relationship between your natural teeth and how your memory performs.
While the exact reason for this relationship is not completely clear, there have been findings on both animals and humans showing that having more of oneís natural teeth results in having a sharper memory. This may be the reason why the elderly have a more difficult time in remembering things. Scientists believe that there may be a link between the teeth and the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is involved in memory function.
It is believed that the natural teeth in oneís mouth are responsible for certain sensory signals being sent to the brain. This is believed to come from a nerve that provides sensation in the face and in basic motor functions like chewing and biting. In addition, gum disease can also play a part in oneís memory if it results in tooth loss. This is largely due to the inflammation it can cause, which can affect neurons and therefore, result in memory loss. Certain studies have also shown that individuals with Alzheimerís disease have a significantly greater amount of gum disease and the bacteria that causes it. It is believed that these bacteria can travel to the brain and cause damage.
These findings should certainly prompt you to take the best possible care of your teeth. Our dentist in Los Angeles can help to keep your natural teeth in great condition, but it is also up to you to brush at least twice a day and floss once daily.