You’ve probably never considered how your oral health can impact your brain health, but here’s a reason to keep up with your dentist appointments: gum disease may increase your odds of developing dementia, according to a new study.
In a review of 47 previously published studies, researchers in Finland found that tooth loss, deep pockets around teeth in the gums, or bone loss in the tooth sockets was tied to a 21 percent higher risk of dementia and a 23 percent higher risk of milder cognitive decline.
Tooth loss itself — an indicator of gum, or periodontal, disease — was linked to a 23 percent higher risk of cognitive (mental) decline and a 13 percent higher risk of dementia, according to the study.
“Maintaining adequate periodontal health, including retention of healthy natural teeth, seems to be important also in the context of preventing cognitive decline and dementia,” says lead researcher Sam Asher, from the Institute of Dentistry at the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio.
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Asher notes that the study can’t prove that gum problems actually cause dementia. Still, prevention and treatment of periodontal conditions are particularly important in older adults who are at increased risk for dementia, he shares.
About 10 to 15 percent of the global adult population has gum inflammation known as periodontitis, the researchers pointed out in background notes. In severe cases, it leads to tooth loss, and prior research has linked it to heart disease and diabetes.
Dr. Sam Gandy, director of the Mount Sinai Center for Cognitive Health in New York City, says, “There is growing evidence that somehow systemic inflammation and brain inflammation are linked.”
Periodontal disease, systemic viral illnesses, including herpes, COVID-19, and inflammatory bowel syndrome, among others, are capable of triggering brain inflammation, says Gandy.
“These associations do not necessarily involve direct invasion of the brain by microbes, but we still understand relatively little about the molecular basis for how systemic inflammation aggravates brain inflammation,” he adds.
However, there is good news. Many of your oral health concerns can be addressed before you begin to experience cognitive decline. Here’s how:
As you may have guessed, you can prevent tooth loss with proper oral care. This includes:
On the other hand, if you have a chronic disease, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, or suffer from dry mouth, preventing tooth loss may be harder. In that case, consult your dentist to see what options you have.
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Changing a few lifestyle habits can dramatically reduce your risk of developing deep pockets. Here’s how to do so:
If you do develop pockets, talk with your dentist about your treatment options. Your treatment will depend on the size and depth of the periodontal pocket and the condition of your gums and bone.
Bone loss can be caused by a number of things, including tooth loss, periodontal disease, and damage caused by trauma, i.e., accidents and assaults. Smoking can also cause bone loss.
The good news, however, is that you can prevent bone loss with good home dental care and oral hygiene, proper tooth brushing, interdental cleaning with dental floss and/or interdental brushes, and a healthy diet and lifestyle. Quitting or avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol will also help.
Already experiencing bone loss? Proper periodontal therapy in combination with good home oral hygiene (proper tooth brushing, flossing, and interdental cleaning) can prevent tooth loss and even regrow some of the bone loss you’ve experienced.
As you can see, keeping our mouths clean offers many benefits beyond preventing bad breath. Luckily, in most cases, keeping a healthy mouth is fairly simple.
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