MORGANTOWN, Va., Jun 24, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Brushing teeth and flossing
may not only reduce gum disease and stroke but memory loss, U.S. researchers
suggest.
In an ongoing study, researchers at West Virginia University in Morgantown gave
oral exams, memory tests and, if subjects agreed, a blood test to 270 people age
70 or older in more than a dozen West Virginia counties.
The researchers found about 23 percent of the group suffers from mild to
moderate memory loss.
"We're looking for markers in the blood that show inflammation to see if there
is a link to memory problems," one study researcher, Dr. Richard Crout, said in
a statement.
It is not yet understood whether mouth microorganisms create health problems or
whether the body's inflammatory response is to blame. Crout said it may be a
combination.
However, the connection between severe dementia and gum disease is already
well-known, although clinicians often do not realize gum disease affects memory,
Crout said.
"Older people might want to know there's more reason to keep their mouths clean
-- to brush and floss -- than ever," Crout said in a statement. "You'll not only
be more likely to keep your teeth, but you'll also reduce your risk of heart
attack, stroke and memory loss."
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International