Tooth loss linked to overall decline
The memory and walking speeds of adults who have lost all of their teeth decline more rapidly than in those who still have some of their own teeth, according to new UCL research.1
The study looked at 3,166 adults aged 60 or over and compared their performance in memory tests and walking speed. The results showed that the people with none of their own teeth performed approximately 10% worse in both tests than the people with teeth. Tooth loss is therefore a potential early marker of decline in older age.
Rebuilding enamel
Scientists in Taiwan are developing a new biomaterial that can potentially rebuild worn enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity for an extended period. They describe the material, which is based on calcium and phosphorus and which they tested on dogs, in ACS Nano.2
References
Tsakos G, Watt R H, Rouxel P L, de Oliveira C, Demakakos P . Tooth loss associated with physical and cognitive decline in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2015; 63: 91–99.
Chiang Y C, Lin H P, Chang H H et al. A mesoporous silica biomaterial for dental biomimetic crystallization. ACS Nano 2014; 8: 12502–12513.
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Recent research. Br Dent J 218, 98 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.67
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.67