Failing to brush your teeth may cause more than just gum disease (牙龈疾病) and tooth loss... Brushing your teeth regularly could reduce the risk of dementia by more than one-quarter, new research finds. People with less than 20 teeth are 26% more likely to develop cognitive (认知的) problems that could lead to Alzheimer’s (老年痴呆症). It is thought that chewing increases the blood-flow to the brain, then improving memory.
The research — a “systematic review” — involved pulling together the results from 10 previous studies on the link between oral (口腔) health and dementia (痴呆). One recent study which followed 59 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease found that gum disease was linked to a great increase in the rate of cognitive decline. Dr Mark Ide, the study’s first author, said: “Gum disease is widespread in the UK and the US, and is thought to be a major cause of tooth loss in older age groups.
In the UK in 2009, around 80% of the adults over 55 had evidence of gum disease, while 40% of the adults aged over 65-74 (and 60% of those aged over 75) had less than 21 of their original 32 teeth, with half of them reporting gum disease before they lost teeth. A number of studies have shown that having fewer teeth, possibly as a consequence of earlier gum disease, is associated with a greater risk of developing dementia.
We also believe, based on various research findings, that the presence of teeth with active gum disease results in higher body-wide levels of the sorts of inflammatory molecules (炎性分子) which have also been associated with an increased risk of other outcomes such as cognitive decline or disease. Research has suggested that effective gum treatment can diminish the levels of these molecules closer to that seen in a healthy state.
Previous studies have also shown that patients with Alzheimer’s disease have poorer dental (牙科的) health than others of the similar age and that the more severe the dementia the worse the dental health, most likely reflecting greater difficulties in taking care of oneself as dementia becomes more severe.” Professor Clive Holmes, one of the co-authors of the study, said: “These are very interesting results which build on previous work we have done that shows that inflammatory conditions have a harmful effect on disease progression in people with Alzheimer’s disease.”
“Our study was small and lasted for six months so further experiments need to be carried out to develop these results. However, if there is a direct relationship between periodontitis (牙周炎) and cognitive decline, as this current study suggests, then treatment of gum disease might be a possible treatment option for Alzheimer’s.”
8. What can be the best title of the passage?
A. Brushing Teeth Can Prevent Gum Disease.
B. Brushing Teeth Can Avoid Dementia.
C. Brushing Teeth Can Benefit Health.
D. Brushing Teeth Can Prevent Tooth Loss.
9. Which statement is TRUE according to the third paragraph?
A. Around half of adult Britons suffer from gum disease.
B. One in three adult Britons aged over 65-74 lose 11 teeth.
C. Three-fifths adult Britons aged over 75 lose at least 11 teeth.
D. Around half of adult Britons lose lives after gum disease.
10. What does the underlined word “diminish” mean?
A. Increase. B. Reduce.
C. Keep. D. Strengthen.
11. According to Clive Holmes, inflammatory conditions might ____.
A. worsen Alzheimer’s disease
B. reduce Alzheimer’s disease
C. improve seniors’ dental health
D. help to cure Alzheimer’s disease