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Morgantown, WV - Brushing, Flossing Teeth May Preserve Memory

Published on:   Jun 24, 2009 at 08:18 PM
News Source:  UPI
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Morgantown, WV - 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.

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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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Read Comments (20)  —  Post Yours »

1

 Jun 24, 2009 at 08:49 PM anonymous Says:

I hope it is true with a scientific basis and not an important message from a dentist

2

 Jun 24, 2009 at 08:46 PM Anonymous Says:

Morgantown is NOT in VA, it is in another state called WEST VIRGINIA,

West Virginia is NOT a part of Virginia. It is a VERY different state. They were even on different sides during the war.

In fact the residents of West Virginia refer to their state as "West By G-d Virginia"

They fought on the wrong side during the War of Yankee Aggression, taking the Union side, and had to fight against their brothers in the adjoining state, The Commonwealth of Virginia.

3

 Jun 24, 2009 at 09:48 PM Anonymous Says:

I didn't think you could find people in WV over age 70 with enough teeth to floss

4

 Jun 24, 2009 at 11:07 PM Anonymous Says:

This study seems strange. It is almost like saying that smokers have more cirrhosis of the liver than non smokers, without saying that smokers on average drink much more than non smokers, and the greater incidence of cirrhosis in smokers is due to alcohol consumption.

Those who take good care of their teeth are much more likely to take vitamin supplements and eat a better diet than those who don't take good care of their teeth.

5

 Jun 25, 2009 at 03:39 AM Israeli Says:

Maybe people who have poor memory forget to brush their teeth?

6

 Jun 25, 2009 at 03:12 AM Anonymous Says:

I think it is an inflammatory response. I had some dead tooth roots remaining in my gums after a crown broke off. Thanks to no insurance, I couldn't afford to have it repaired. I was assured there was no problem since the roots were dead.
Here's the strange part. That was 10 years ago. I also developed MS like symptoms at about the same time. I now live in Israel and have gotten great work done at Hadassah Hosp. Dental School. The roots are gone and so are the symptoms! I know MS can remit but my MRI's were clear so it was only a probably dx. But I had constant neurological weakness on my right side. That is gone and my balance has returned neither of which occurred during the so-called "remissions." There was no infection at the root site and the surgery was minor. This was simply an inflammatory incident. Why when the crown borke off? I don't know. Maybe something to do with my bite and presure on the remaining roots which had had root canal.
Take care of your teeth. Misalignments aren't just cosmetic issues. They affect our entire body.

7

 Jun 25, 2009 at 01:34 AM oy vey Says:

I just hope you dont forget where you put the toothpaste and floss!!!!!!!!!

8

 Jun 25, 2009 at 01:08 AM Anonymous Says:

I think these scientist / researchers got it all wrong, maybe it is just the opposite. For example, people who don't brush their teeth probably already suffer from memory loss so that's why they forget to brush their teeth. But, rather than saying people who brush their teeth have better memory, maybe they brush their teeth because they have better memory and remember to brush their teeth.

See just look at it the opposite way.

9

 Jun 25, 2009 at 06:50 AM Anonymous Says:

Reply to #3  
Anonymous Says:

I didn't think you could find people in WV over age 70 with enough teeth to floss

I hope you are only kidding, and not furthering those foolish prejudices.

Remember those, "You Might be a Redneck If..." jokes
are HUMOR, and are not quotes from a documentary.

Southerners enjoy laughing at themselves, poking fun at their own
stereotypes of the past.
But, they have progressed passed those days long ago.

The same with racism and anti-semitism. They joke about how
bad they practiced racism in the past, but today, you will find less
racism in The South than you will find in Brooklyn.

Morgantown area actually is kind of like New Jersey, without the NJ accent.

10

 Jun 25, 2009 at 08:42 AM Anonymous Says:

Reply to #8  
Anonymous Says:

I think these scientist / researchers got it all wrong, maybe it is just the opposite. For example, people who don't brush their teeth probably already suffer from memory loss so that's why they forget to brush their teeth. But, rather than saying people who brush their teeth have better memory, maybe they brush their teeth because they have better memory and remember to brush their teeth.

See just look at it the opposite way.

not every body, esepcially those in rural areas had good oral hygiene. They just don't know better.

11

 Jun 25, 2009 at 09:52 AM Dr Tzvi (Harvey) Lang Says:

For many years I have researched (and give seminars partially concerning this) the toxic effects of mercury amalgems. One rather common effect is memory loss. The inflamation cited in the above article might also play a role, however the toxicicity of mercury is well known...in fact a few countries actually outlaw the use in "fillings". Also in large dental clinics in California a patient must sign a consent form. One research institution with an interesting web site is the famous (and known for its cutting edge research) University of Calgary........My web site is autoimmunesolutions.com

12

 Jun 25, 2009 at 10:46 AM toothdoc Says:

Reply to #11  
Dr Tzvi (Harvey) Lang Says:

For many years I have researched (and give seminars partially concerning this) the toxic effects of mercury amalgems. One rather common effect is memory loss. The inflamation cited in the above article might also play a role, however the toxicicity of mercury is well known...in fact a few countries actually outlaw the use in "fillings". Also in large dental clinics in California a patient must sign a consent form. One research institution with an interesting web site is the famous (and known for its cutting edge research) University of Calgary........My web site is autoimmunesolutions.com

As so far the only dentist posting on this thread, the reasoning behind this study is that with an increase in gingival inflammation you have an increase in a protein called CRP. This is the same reasoning behind the association between periodontal disease and diabetes. As far as the supposed danger from amalgam that's just stupid, hundreds of studies hav e shown this myth to be just a myth.

13

 Jun 25, 2009 at 11:09 AM Dr Tzvi (Harvey) Lang Says:

Reply to #12  
toothdoc Says:

As so far the only dentist posting on this thread, the reasoning behind this study is that with an increase in gingival inflammation you have an increase in a protein called CRP. This is the same reasoning behind the association between periodontal disease and diabetes. As far as the supposed danger from amalgam that's just stupid, hundreds of studies hav e shown this myth to be just a myth.

why doesn't #12 look at Calgary studies...and if you want I can cite dozens of studies and while
I do understand why some dentists still prefer amalgams (ease of work, longevity, and anti-microbial benifits)....the toxicity is so enormous and dangerous!!...I urge all dentists to question some of the myths perpetrated at their "respected " dental schools.....( and with no disrespect intended) maybe what you learnt there is just "stupid".

14

 Jun 25, 2009 at 10:29 AM Anonymous Says:

Dr. Lang, do you advise people to use the Cutler protocol for chelation with DMSA plus alpha lipoic acid starting a few months after their amalgams were replaced? Some of us who have had a large number of mercury filings have become very ill from them.

15

 Jun 25, 2009 at 12:20 PM Anonymous Says:

Another question for Dr. Lang. If amalgams are capped or covered with a permanent crown, bridge etc. does it prevent the toxicity? Isn't the toxicity from an interaction of acidic saliva with the amalgams?
Hadassah insists on using amalgams where aesthetics aren't a concern for the reasons you cite above. I will be having several restorative processes that will do just that and I'm hoping it will help since I can't begin to afford to replace the amalgams.

16

 Jun 25, 2009 at 11:53 AM Dr Tzvi (Harvey) Lang Says:

Reply to #14  
Anonymous Says:

Dr. Lang, do you advise people to use the Cutler protocol for chelation with DMSA plus alpha lipoic acid starting a few months after their amalgams were replaced? Some of us who have had a large number of mercury filings have become very ill from them.

I am usually against amalgam removal (usually a rather dangerous procedure even with Dentists trained in "safe" removal)
I generally recommend a "light" detoxification; keeping
preventing toxic attacks on myalin (which are stopped before) below a threshold.

17

 Jun 25, 2009 at 01:00 PM Dr Tzvi (Harvey) Lang Says:

Reply to #15  
Anonymous Says:

Another question for Dr. Lang. If amalgams are capped or covered with a permanent crown, bridge etc. does it prevent the toxicity? Isn't the toxicity from an interaction of acidic saliva with the amalgams?
Hadassah insists on using amalgams where aesthetics aren't a concern for the reasons you cite above. I will be having several restorative processes that will do just that and I'm hoping it will help since I can't begin to afford to replace the amalgams.

Not sure that it will completely prevent toxicity. If you live in Israel I have trained a few in the techniques where we, when necessary, stop an attack on mylinated neurons precipitated by mercury. If you are having such tzoris as memory loss or depression (especially in winter "S.A.D.") you may be a candidate for it.

18

 Jun 25, 2009 at 01:10 PM Anonymous Says:

Amalgams will leak mercury even if they are covered with a crown. The rate of leakage is much lower than if they aren't covered though. Don't let a dentist put mercury fillings in your mouth.

Hazon Yeshaya has a free dental clinic in Jerusalem. Chabad has dental clinics in Israel. . The Chabad clinics might not be completely free, but will at least be much lower in cost than a private dentist. See if these clinic are mercury free, and if they would remove all the mercury in a tooth before placing a crown.



19

 Jun 25, 2009 at 01:44 PM Dr Tzvi (Harvey) Lang Says:

Reply to #18  
Anonymous Says:

Amalgams will leak mercury even if they are covered with a crown. The rate of leakage is much lower than if they aren't covered though. Don't let a dentist put mercury fillings in your mouth.

Hazon Yeshaya has a free dental clinic in Jerusalem. Chabad has dental clinics in Israel. . The Chabad clinics might not be completely free, but will at least be much lower in cost than a private dentist. See if these clinic are mercury free, and if they would remove all the mercury in a tooth before placing a crown.



Yasherkoach

20

 Jun 26, 2009 at 06:44 AM Anonymous Says:

Reply to #18  
Anonymous Says:

Amalgams will leak mercury even if they are covered with a crown. The rate of leakage is much lower than if they aren't covered though. Don't let a dentist put mercury fillings in your mouth.

Hazon Yeshaya has a free dental clinic in Jerusalem. Chabad has dental clinics in Israel. . The Chabad clinics might not be completely free, but will at least be much lower in cost than a private dentist. See if these clinic are mercury free, and if they would remove all the mercury in a tooth before placing a crown.



Great info! Thanks! Well, Hadasah isn't free either but, except for a love of amalgam and fluoride, they do a great job and are very much cheaper but I will check out these others. It's interesting, on the tooth that needs the crown, they had to do a build up and the professor chose composite (the white stuff) rather than amalgam. Guerilla teaching, hehehehe.

The fluoride I can fight, they don't apply it to adults just pressure me to use it in toothpaste. I don't think I want to go for removal yet. I will try Dr, Lang's protocol first.

21

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