Research suggests that individuals who are genetically predisposed to poor oral health, such as cavities and tooth loss, may have a greater chance of declining brain function than those without.
At the upcoming American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in Dallas, early findings will be revealed that claim inadequate oral hygiene may negatively impact brain health. Early treatment of dental cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues may help reduce the associated risks.
To investigate the interconnection between oral health and brain health, scientists studied around 40,000 adults from UK Biobank, a biomedical database. None of these individuals had experienced a stroke before joining.
The team conducted screenings for 105 genetic variants associated with poor oral health, likewise examining whether the participants had missing teeth or dentures at a later age.
To study the links between oral and mental wellness, the team closely inspected participants’ brain MRI images for any signs of white matter or microstructural damage.
Once the researchers evaluated the data, they discovered that those with genetic variants predisposing them to oral health issues like cavities and tooth loss also had a higher risk of silent cerebrovascular disease – a precursor of future strokes. Additionally, these participants showed an increase in white matter hyper-intensities on MRI images by 24%.
Not only did the adults with genetic variant-related poor oral health show a higher rate of brain microstructural damage scores, but they also demonstrated an over 43% increase in their results.
However, this study was limited in its scope. Primarily white and European subjects were used in the data collection – thus more research is needed to evaluate different racial and ethnic backgrounds as well.
Study author Cyprien Rivier, M.D., M.S., a postdoctoral fellow in neurology at the Yale School of Medicine noted in a press release that, “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.”
“However, this study is preliminary, and more evidence needs to be gathered,” she said, “ideally through clinical trials – to confirm improving oral health in the population will lead to brain health benefits.”
