Does poor oral health impact brain function?
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October 12, 2019
Perceived stress may detrimentally impact oral health which, in turn, may lead to cognitive decline among specific elderly communities, according to two new studies.
Oral health can be a surprisingly good indicator of a person’s well-being. Not only can oral diseases reduce a person’s quality of life, but they can also increase the risk of other serious conditions.
Researchers have linked gum disease and tooth loss to the occurrence of stroke. An article published in the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology in 2010 concluded that gum disease could raise a person’s risk of heart disease by around 20%. It is, however, necessary to carry out more research in these areas.
Teams at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, have now focused on a different link — the one between oral health and cognitive decline.
A recently published review of 23 studies found evidence of a relationship between oral health and cognitive aspects, such as memory and executive function.
Now, a team from Rutgers University carried out two separate studies into cognitive decline and perceived stress. Both papers appear in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The Chinese American focus
The studies focused on Chinese American adults with a minimum age of 60. “Racial and ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable to the negative consequences of poor oral health,” explains XinQi Dong, director of Rutgers University’s Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research.
He continues, “Minorities have less access to preventive dental care that is further exacerbated by language barriers and low socioeconomic status. Older Chinese Americans are at particular risk for experiencing oral health symptoms due to lack of dental insurance or not visiting a dental clinic regularly.”
Participants for both studies came from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). The first study quizzed people on their oral health and gave them five cognitive tests to complete.
The second study asked participants if they had ever experienced dry mouth issues. Researchers then asked them to measure their perceived stress, social support, and social strain levels using pre-defined scales.
Social support referred to how often they felt able to open up to or rely on their family members or friends. Researchers defined social strain as how often participants experienced excessive demands or criticism from friends or relatives.
A cognitive link
Out of the more than 2,700 Chinese Americans interviewed, almost half reported tooth-related symptoms. Just over a quarter said they had experienced dry mouth.
There was no significant relationship between gum and cognitive problems. However, researchers believe participants may have been less likely to report gum symptoms due to finding them less problematic.
The researchers did find a link between cognitive decline — specifically global cognition and episodic memory decline — and tooth symptoms. Episodic memory issues themselves have a link to the onset of dementia.
The researchers found a similar association in the second study. Those who reported more perceived stress were more likely to report dry mouth. Spousal social support or strain did not reduce this relationship, but support from friends appeared to protect against dry mouth in some way.
“However, the potential overload of such support could be detrimental to oral health outcomes among older Chinese Americans,” notes study author Weiyu Mao, assistant professor at the University of Nevada’s School of Social Work.
Oral health is key
Any conclusion formed from self-reported data has its limitations. However, the team believes their findings point to a need for better awareness of immigrant health and psychosocial influences on said health.
Dong says they “demonstrate the importance of examining immigrant oral health outcomes later in life to understand the specific type of outcomes of different cultural groups.”
“The studies further serve as a call to action for policymakers to develop programs aimed at improving oral health preventive and dental care services in this high risk population,” said XinQi Dong.
Ensuring good oral health of older Chinese Americans should be a primary goal, according to the team.
Mao notes, “intervention strategies need to expand beyond the common risk factors, such as health conditions and health behaviors, and account for the psychosocial determinants, including stress and social support.” Inclusive efforts such as these could even go some way to reducing cognitive decline.
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Capistrano C. 
Dra Mate Moreno is a highly qualified professional. She runs an impeccable clinic with friendly staff and updated equipment. I had some implats done at her clinic in Tijuana 4 years ago, and every dentist in the San Francisco Bay Area that looked at my mouth complimented her work. Like me if you go to her clinic, you will be proud to say that you had dental implants done in México. Thank you.
Henrique Du Tiel
I have been coming here for years. I love this office. I feel at home when I come here. Dr. Askari is awesome and her staff is very friendly and helpful.
luvzlara
Cant say enough great things about Dr. Askari and team. I have had the best experience with everyone at the office and I highly recommend! Thanks Stephanie, Mercedes and Dr. Askari for the wonderful environment and service :)
Chris Conlon
Excellent staff, everyone makes you feel welcomed. I have been with Dental Care of Ventura for years. I recommend their service to everyone.
Kevin Brown
Great friendly service. They are concerned about your comfort and wellbeing. They do great work. Their staff is 2nd to none.
Tom Xedos
I have been a patient of Dr. Askari + team for the past 5 years and highly recommend her practice. Dr. Askari is friendly and it always a pleasure speaking with her. She always provides detailed information, explanations, and cost breakdown prior to doing any procedure. The rest of the team is just as amazing, always smiling and happy to see you. I was hesitant about going to the dentist during the COVID pandemic, however Dr. Askari made me feel completely comfortable and safe (hand sanitizer at front desk, sanitized pens, temperature checks, plexiglass barrier, open door for fresh air etc). If you are weary of the dentist, please be sure to check this practice out, you will not be disappointed!
Cassaundra Garcia
Dr. Newman was incredibly kind and compassionate. Dr. Newman and her assistant were very reassuring and talked me through the entire root canal. She made a stereotypically scary procedure very easy. The APEX office was beautiful and the staff were very friendly and exhibited the utmost professionalism. I cannot recommend Dr. Newman highly enough.
Thomas
From the moment you walk in your greeted by an amazing staff that I energetic and excited to help. They are highly educated to help with any questions you have on insurance coverage, or the specifics of certain surgery's. Coming to this dentist office set the bar so high, with the service Dr.Askari provides there is no way I'll ever go anywhere else.
The Mega Board
Ive been getting my teeth cleaned here for years everyone here is so awesome friendly they make you laugh they are very gentle when they clean your teeth or do any dental work its an awesome place to be I will never trade it for another dental office love this place and love everyone who works here!
Celeste Yuss
Dr. Askari is the BEST! Honest, professional, and precise. My family has been going there for 6 years. Every other dentist I went to before told me I needed fillings, crowns; even possibly a root canal. Immediately! Dr. Askari said, continue to floss/clean and you will be fine. Six years later, and not one filling. Unfortunately, this past year my mother passed away, we moved into a house, and we had a child. Good & bad stress. Hence, my teeth were neglected. This past month, I did have to have fillings and one crown (which I knew were my fault). I was nervous, since I hadn't had any work done. And, my previous dentists either left me in pain for days or the bill was excruciating that I was hindered financially. Neither happened! Dr. Askari did everything in 2 days, with the help of her amazing staff, and I was pain free! Also, our bill was large (not a surprise) but reasonable compared to others I had spoken to about what I had done. I feel like I am selling this place but I hope that's not what you perceive. My experience (over the years) have been so positive and I know how hard it is to find a GOOD dentist. I hope my feedback will help. I couldn't recommend Dental Care of Ventura enough. Good luck!
Jenny Urbanick
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user
Dr. Newman is really friendly and kind. I don't want to call a root canal wonderful, but it was really no big deal. I had no pain afterward and could chew on the tooth the very next day. Would totally recommend her. The office is super nice as well, totally brand new.
Paul V
I saw Dr Newman at her new office, Advanced Perio Endo experts. It was super nice, and she was so friendly. I was in a ton of pain and she saw me immediately. She talked me through everything and made me feel really comfortable. My dentist couldnt get me numb but she got me numb without any problem. I woke up the next day and felt a million times better! I would totally go back to see her for another root canal if I ever need one.
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I had an overall nice experience, as far as dentist office visits go. The staff is courteous, kind, and they made sure that I felt safe during this COVID19 pandemic. I was happy with all of the work I had done because it was done right the first time. I have a million dollar smile! I highly recommend this office to anyone who needs dental work done.
Jerome Rabago
Love this place! So friendly and they make everything about visiting the dentist easy!
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It has been close to three years since I have been down there for dental work. Just a note to hope that you and your staff are in good health and that things are going fine for you and your dental Patrice. You and your staff take care and enjoy all things. It was a pleasure to meet you and your staff.
Oliver G Smith
I was fortunate that my daughter, who lives in San Diego, told me about one of her high school teachers (Randy) that she has remained in touch with for the past 35 or so years. She told me he had thoroughly researched dental implants and that I should call him. After spending time on the phone with Randy listening to his story about his relationship with Dr. Amy and the success he was enjoying with a full mouth of implants, I was convinced that I would follow his footsteps & recommendation. Unfortunately, my timing turned out to be in the very early stages of covid 19, which would complicate matters for followup visits. In December of 2019 I talked with Argy (Dr. Amy's assistant, who scheduled my first appointment in Rosarito, Mexico on January 2. I, along with my daughter, were picked up in San Diego by Dr. Amy' s driver (Caesar Jesus) and driven to Tijuana, Mexico for a complete panoramic imagining of my mouth and then on to Rosarito. My procedures were then to prepare my gums (bone grafts) for the installations of 3 zirconia dental implants at a later date. Dr. Amy and her staff were all amazing in preparing me and actually doing this procedure. I did not experience any pain nor anxiety. I did not think that I was actually put to sleep, but my daughter confirmed that I was in fact sleeping throughout the procedure. I actually woke up feeling somewhat refreshed after what seemed like a short nap. After spending the night in a comfortable, and clean apartment (above the dental clinic) I was scheduled to return for a post op in Dr. Amy's clinic in Murrieta,, Calif.on Feb 17th. This appointment was significant in that I learned from another patient while sitting in the waiting room that her experiences with Dr. Amy and her strive for perfection was second to none. This just strengthened my feelings that I had selected the right person for my implants. I was rescheduled for scanning and crowns for April 6, 2020, but due to Covid 19 that didn't happen until June 22d, which time my teeth were scanned for crowns and ultimately installed in the states (Murrietta on June 26th. I am very happy with the results.
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The highest quality dental work in Southern California for a reasonable price. Plus the team offered a payment plan. She really made it possible to finally bring so much happiness back into my smile! But on top of all that the best part was getting to know Dr. Amy and Allie! Kindest and caring people who made me feel safe and people I could trust. Her knowledge and decision with how to proceed with my dental work was spot on. In the past I had different opinions with other doctors, I can tell she loves what she does ! I'm really glad I found Dr. Amy! Thank you !!!
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I have been a patient for over seven years and the staff is always professional and friendly. Dr. Askari is the BEST!
Gary Gasaway