Introduction

From a young age, we have always been told to take care of our teeth for oral health and to avoid tooth loss as we grow older. However, recent research from Japan suggests that the consequences of poor dental hygiene go beyond just gum health – they may also impact our brains. Scientists have discovered a correlation between tooth loss, gum disease, and shrinkage in the hippocampus, a brain region associated with memory and Alzheimer’s disease. These findings raise important considerations about preserving not only gum health but also brain health.

The Study and Its Implications

One hundred seventy-two participants who were 55 or older participated in the study by researchers at Tohoku University in Japan. At the beginning of the study, the participants underwent memory tests, and data on their general health and medical history were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed to measure the hippocampus volume at the start of the study and four years later.

Dentists counted the number of teeth and examined periodontal probing depth (PD) to assess gum disease. According to the researchers, the number of teeth and the severity of gum disease affected the volume of the left hippocampus. Individuals with mild gum disease and fewer teeth experienced faster shrinkage in the left hippocampus. Surprisingly, one less tooth was found to increase the rate of brain shrinkage in people with mild gum disease, comparable to an additional year of brain aging.

On the other hand, individuals with severe gum disease and more teeth showed a faster rate of brain shrinkage in the same region. An additional tooth in those with severe gum disease led to left hippocampus shrinkage equivalent to 1.3 years of brain aging.

Promoting Dental Health for Cognitive Well-being

While this study does not establish a causal relationship, it highlights the significance of oral health in relation to cognitive function. Dentists and healthcare professionals must consider the potential impact of dental health on brain health when making critical decisions about patients’ oral care. It also emphasizes the importance of regular dental visits and proper management of gum disease.

Although the study had a small sample size and focused on one region, further research on more extensive and diverse populations is necessary to generalize the results. Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder that maintaining good dental hygiene is crucial for oral health and cognitive well-being.

Conclusion

The link between dental health and brain function adds a new dimension to our understanding of the importance of oral care. Tooth loss and gum disease have been associated with changes in the hippocampus, a brain region essential for memory and impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. While more research is needed to establish the causal relationship, these findings emphasize the need to prioritize dental health to preserve our smiles and cognitive abilities. So, next time you brush your teeth, remember that you are caring not just for your gums but also for your brain.

Cited Works
Li, Q., Ye, H., Ding, Y., Chen, G., Liu, Z., Xu, J., Chen, R., & Yang, H. (2017). Clinical characteristics of moderate-to-severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy in 354 Chinese cases. PLoS One, 12(5), e0176064.

Why we champion the role of the dental hygienist in south-west London?. https://www.dentistsw4.com/latest-news/why-we-champion-the-role-of-the-dental-hygienist-at-our-south-west-london-practice/

JCI Insight – Exploring the cardiac response to injury in heart transplant biopsies. https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/123674