Dementia Matters

Elisa Ghezzi, DDS, PhD, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of maintaining oral health throughout one’s life, and especially as one grows older. Discussing the effects of oral health on our systemic health, oral health’s connection to dysphagia, and how caregivers can help dementia patients care for their teeth, Dr. Ghezzi provides insight on how vital it is to care for our oral health as we age. Guest: Elisa Ghezzi, DDS, PhD, adjunct clinical assistant professor, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, provider, Voiage Portable Dentistry Episode Topics: 1:15 - How did you get interested in oral health in older adults? 3:28 - Why isn’t there more training or education in general dentistry for an older population? 4:34 - What are oral diseases, and what are their effects on systemic health? 6:00 - Is there an association between oral disease and cognition or cognitive impairment? 8:50 - IDoes inflammation affect oral health? 10:00 - What can be done to prevent oral conditions? 13:39 - What