7 surprising signs of dementia

Memory impairment is probably the best-known symptom of dementia conditions including Alzheimer’s disease. But there are other, surprising warning signs that your brain health is at risk. Be on the lookout for these lesser-known symptoms, and call a healthcare provider if you suspect you or a loved one might be developing the disorder.

Do you find you have more cavities lately, or have you even lost a few teeth? That could mean you’re at risk for dementia. Studies suggest that people who have more missing teeth may be more likely to develop dementia and cognitive impairment.

Neglecting your teeth can lead to inflammation of the gums. Though it is not proven, there is some research that points to possible connection between the two, says G. Peter Gliebus, MD, a neurologist in Boca Raton, Florida. Tooth loss may also be a sign of how well you take care of yourself (or how well you’re able to take care of yourself).

Walking slower can be an early predictor of dementia. “That’s one of the signs of brain degeneration,” says Dr. Gliebus. And it’s not just walking slower—changes in stride length and variability can also predict cognitive decline.

Sometimes a walking test for someone with early Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment will seem normal, until the person is asked to do something else while walking, like counting backwards or naming as many animals as they can. If their gait slows drastically, it could be a red flag.

Changes in the circadian rhythm—the body’s internal clock—can be a sign of impending dementia. “Sleep centers can be affected by brain degeneration,” says Gliebus. “That could mean hypersomnia (sleeping a lot), insomnia, fragmented sleep, or starting to sleep during the day.”

Most healthy adults should sleep between seven and nine hours each night. Some research suggests that middle-aged and older adults who regularly get fewer than five or six hours—or more than nine—may be at an increased risk for dementia.

When dementia begins to affect the areas of the brain that control language, communication can become difficult. If it progresses to the point you lose the ability to speak or understand speech, it is called aphasia. 

Speech issues often begin subtly, by stumbling over a word here and there. People may use the wrong words, have trouble finding the right words, mispronounce things, speak slowly or haltingly, or talk around a word—“that place where they bring you the food” instead of “restaurant." It’s important to note that some problems with word retrieval are a normal part of aging, but be on the lookout for other symptoms.

Some forms of dementia affect the parts of the brain that govern judgment, self-control, violence, and sexual behavior. Dementia can also cause frustration and anger in daily life, when you’re no longer able to do the things you used to. Some research suggests people with dementia are more likely to show aggressive behaviors than people without dementia, or people with mild cognitive impairment.

Occasionally, as judgment becomes more compromised, law troubles could occur. Crimes sometimes committed by people with dementia include theft, trespassing, and public urination.

While inappropriate sexual behavior can happen among patients with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, it may occur early on in patients with another type of dementia called frontotemporal dementia. “There is no standard behavioral change,” says Gliebus. “It depends on the disease and the parts of the brain that are affected.”

Inappropriate sexual behavior can include harassing language, stripping, groping, and other forms of sexual conduct. 

Can you no longer tell the difference between two very different odors, like gasoline and lemons? Or are you increasingly unable to smell anything at all? For older adults, it could be an early sign of dementia. While some loss of smell is normal as you age, decline has also been linked to cognitive impairment.

Loss of smell is also an early symptom of Parkinson’s disease, which may precede dementia.