Association of Tooth Loss Dementia and Cognitive Decline among the Older Adults of the West Godavari District – A Questionnaire Study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Teeth loss is a confounding factor that may have an impact on the early stages of dementia. It affects the nutritive, cognitive, and psychological aspects of the individual, which are getting major concerns, especially in older dwelling communities. Tooth loss, age, and systemic diseases have a complex relationship which has a considerable role in getting mild forms of dementia. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to find the most prevailing factors in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh state in association with tooth loss, dementia, and cognitive decline among the older dwelling community by using questionnaires concerning their nutritive, cognitive, and psychological aspects. Materials and Methods: A structured self-administered questionnaire was used modified versions of Mini Nutritional Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to collect the nutritive, cognitive, and psychological aspects of tooth loss and distributed to 300 people Microsoft Excel (Microsoft) was used for data processing and data chart generation. International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 (IBM Corp) was used to analyze the data. Results: The total study had an equal male-to-female ratio. Periodontal problems (72%), diabetes (15%), and caries (13%) were the most opted reason for tooth loss. Individuals who lost teeth more than 5 years ago showed considerable effects of malnourishment (7.1250 ± 1.68767), risk of cognitive decline (13.6452 ± 3.26890), and depression (6.1944 ± 1.90967). Individuals with systemic diseases, especially diabetes and hypertension, had shown severe signs of cognitive decline above the normal limits. Conclusion: This study found a link between reduced cognitive function and edentulism. To address the rising issue of dementia and cognitive impairment in our society, this study aims to highlight the value of proper dental cleanliness and care as one potential preventive approach, among many others. Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline are both made more likely by periodontal disease. Furthermore, this study found a significant prevalence of depression in older people, and it was associated with experiencing dry mouth during both MMSE and GDS assessments and tooth loss between assessments.