Gum disease and tooth loss may have a significant impact on brain health, according to a study published in the journal Neurology. The study, conducted by researchers at Tohoku University in Japan, found a link between gum disease and brain shrinkage in the hippocampus, a region of the brain associated with memory and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the study does not prove that gum disease or tooth loss directly causes Alzheimer’s disease; it only suggests an association between the two.
The study involved 172 participants with an average age of 67 who did not have memory problems at the start of the study. Researchers conducted dental exams, memory tests, and brain scans to measure the volume of the hippocampus at the beginning of the study and four years later. They also assessed the number of teeth and the presence of gum disease by examining the gum tissue.
The results showed that both the number of teeth and the extent of gum disease were correlated with changes in the left hippocampus of the brain. Participants with mild gum disease and fewer teeth experienced a faster rate of brain shrinkage in the left hippocampus. On the other hand, those with severe gum disease and more teeth also experienced a faster rate of brain shrinkage in the same area.
After adjusting for age, the researchers found that one less tooth in individuals with mild gum disease was equivalent to nearly one year of brain aging in terms of the rate of brain shrinkage. Conversely, one more tooth in individuals with severe gum disease was associated with 1.3 years of brain aging in terms of brain shrinkage.
Lead author Satoshi Yamaguchi emphasized the importance of preserving dental health, stating that it is essential to control the progression of gum disease through regular dental visits. In severe cases, teeth affected by gum disease may need to be extracted and replaced with prosthetic devices.
It is important to note that this study was conducted with a relatively small sample size and was limited to one region in Japan. Further research with larger and more diverse groups of participants is needed to validate these findings and determine if they are applicable to other populations.
The study’s findings provide yet another reason to prioritize dental health and emphasize the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. While the link between gum disease, tooth loss, and brain health requires further investigation, it underscores the need for regular dental care in preventing potential negative impacts on brain function and overall well-being.