Poor dental health may be a contributing factor to a range of wider health problems including dementia, new research shows.
Previous studies have found gum disease can increase the risk of heart disease. Now, a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has also linked bad dental health to the brain condition.Visiting the dentist can prompt fear in some people, while others often choose to overlook their dental health until they have no choice but to make an appointment.
Long NHS wait times mean some people may have to resort to private care, which can be expensive. The Great British Oral Health Report revealed that three in 10 Brits couldn't access an NHS dentist in 2021 due to the pandemic - and this problem has spilled into 2022.
Those who are unable to get private care will see their dental health suffer with other dangerous health consequences. As reported in the Mirror, a new study has found the strong link between poor dental health, including tooth loss, and dementia.