This week is Dementia Action Week, an event across the UK that aims to get the public to take action to help improve the lives of those living with dementia. There are said to be 34.5 million people who know someone currently living with dementia across the UK, and one in three of those born in the UK will go on to develop dementia in their lifetime.
But did you know that a routine dental check-up can indicate the onset of the disease in some patients? To coincide with Dementia Action Week, Dr Smita Mehra, BDS MFGDPRCS and Principal Dentist at The Neem Tree Dental Practice explains the connection between Alzheimer's and oral health, and how family and friends can help care for the oral health of those suffering with the degenerative disease: “Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease that most commonly affects those aged 60 and over, and its connection with oral health is focused on the long-term impact of caring for teeth and gums in patients, as the disease progresses. "The earlier a patient is diagnosed, the sooner they can be educated on how to effectively clean and care for their oral health through simple, digestible instructions, almost like muscle memory.” “Some initial signs of an Alzheimer’s patient will be a mouth that is poorly taken care of.
Usually - but not always - this will be an elderly patient who is seemingly neglecting their oral care. “There will be large deposits of plaque and calculus, and swollen or bleeding gums with cavities. These will be eit.