Oral health and its association with mild cognitive impairment in older adults
Keywords:
oral health; mild cognitive impairment; tooth loss; older adultsAbstract
Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical condition characterized by a progressive decline in higher cognitive functions—such as memory and thinking—that exceeds what is expected during physiological aging but does not reach the severity of dementia. However, evidence regarding oral health and MCI among older adults in Ecuador is limited.
Objective: To examine the association between oral health indicators and MCI in older adults receiving care at a community dental service in Riobamba, Ecuador.
Material and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted. From a population of 383 older adults registered with the Community Health Project Dental Service in the Riobamba canton (Chimborazo province), a sample of 192 participants was selected between May 2023 and May 2024. Oral health was assessed, and a cognitive screening—consisting of a partial administration of the Mini-Mental State Examination—was performed. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated based on the observed frequencies.
Results: The results demonstrated a statistically significant association between tooth loss and periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment in the older adults studied. This association remained significant after adjusting the sample for age, sex, education level, and smoking habits.
Conclusions: The results suggest a possible relationship between certain oral health conditions and mild cognitive impairment; however, given the observational nature of the study, it is not possible to establish causal relationships. In this regard, the findings provide evidence concerning the association analyzed, although the study's cross-sectional design and the need to validate the cognitive classification call for a cautious interpretation of the results, avoiding causal inferences or generalizations beyond the studied population.
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