Healthy Teeth and Gums Tied To Better Brain Health
People who are genetically predisposed to cavities and other dental issues may be more likely to develop structural changes in the brain that are associated with cognitive decline, preliminary results from a new study suggest. Previous research has linked oral health issues like gum disease, missing teeth, poor brushing habits, and plaque buildup to an increased risk of stroke and risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure.
“r magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI,” lead author of the new study, Cyprien Rivier, MD, a neurology researcher at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, said in a statement.
Poor Oral Health Genes Tied With Bad Brain Health
For the new study, researchers examined data on about 40,000 adults with no history of stroke who participated in the UK Biobank, an ongoing medical study. Participants were screened for more than 100 genetic variants known to predispose people to cavities, dentures, and missing teeth later in life. Participants also had brain MRI scans to look for structural damage and so-called white matter hyperintensities, both of which are associated with an increased risk of stroke and impairments in memory, balance, and mobility.
People who were genetically prone to cavities, missing teeth, or needing dentures had a larger amount of white matter hyperintensities and structural damage visible on their MRI images, according to preliminary study findings presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2023 in Dallas.
“Poor oral health may cause declines in brain health, so we need to be extra careful with our oral hygiene, because it has implications far beyond the mouth,” Rivier said.