Dental and oral problems can be early symptoms of more serious diseases, including cancer and dementia. Dentist-therapist Natalya Khvatova told Moskovsky Komsomolets regarding this on Tuesday, February 28.
According to the specialist, patients over 60 years of age are at risk. Recent studies by Finnish scientists have shown that the loss of teeth or the alveolar part of the jaws is associated with a decrease in cognitive functions by 23% and the development of dementia by 21%.
“The oral cavity becomes a hotbed of infection, which spreads throughout the body with saliva. And of course, with damage to the teeth and periodontium, the entire gastrointestinal tract suffers, since the process of digestion begins in the oral cavity. Therefore, gastroenterologists first of all pay attention to the condition of the teeth and gums. Also, damage to the oral mucosa can be a symptom of precancerous conditions and oncological diseases, ”the doctor warned.
The absence of teeth affects the ability of a person to chew food, the process of its digestibility and protein metabolism are disturbed.
“Protein deficiency contributes to a decrease in cognitive functions and the development of malnutrition syndrome (malnutrition), as a result, the development of cognitive disorders. Violation of chewing protein foods and its consumption in general also contributes to the development of sarcopenia (reduction of muscle mass), ”Khvatova explained.
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