If you keep postponing your dentist appointment or make sure to leave your toothbrush dry and unused – poor oral health will not only affect your mouth. A new study revealed that neglecting the health of the gums and teeth has consequences not only for the mouth, but also far beyond it.
According to the researcher, adults who are genetically predisposed to oral health problems may be more likely to show signs of declining brain function than those with healthy teeth and gums.
This is not the first study to link poor oral health to serious health conditions. Previous studies have shown that gum disease, missing teeth, as well as poor brushing habits, increase the risk of stroke.
Furthermore, scientists have also found that gum disease and other oral health problems are associated with risk factors for heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure.
The latest study, published in the journal JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, found that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for atrial fibrillation in the heart. This is a condition in which the heart rate is irregular and sometimes even very fast, which may lead to blood clots in the heart.
Study author Dr. Cyprien Riviere said: “What was not clear was whether poor oral health affects brain health, that is, the functional state of a person’s brain, which we are now better able to understand using neuroimaging tools such as magnetic resonance imaging or MRI.
“Studying oral health is particularly important because poor oral health occurs frequently and is an easily modifiable risk factor – anyone can effectively improve their oral health with minimal time and financial investment,” he added.
Looking at 40,000 British adults with an average age of 57 and no history of stroke, the research team investigated the potential link between oral and brain health between 2014 and 2021.
Participants were tested for 105 genetic variants known to predispose people to cavities, dentures and missing teeth later in life.
The study showed that those genetically predisposed to poor oral health were at a higher risk of silent brain disease. According to the study, poor oral health can lead to brain abscesses.
In the study, signs of poor brain health were examined using MRI images that showed cumulative damage to the brain’s white matter, which could impair memory, balance and mobility.
The researchers also looked at the microstructural damage, which describes the change compared to a normal brain scan of a healthy adult of a similar age.
The findings indicated that those who were genetically predisposed to cavities, those who were missing teeth or had dentures, were at higher risk of silent cerebrovascular disease – a group of conditions, diseases and disorders that target the blood vessels and blood supply to the brain.
However, according to Dr. Rivière, “the research is preliminary and more evidence needs to be collected through clinical trials to confirm that improving oral health among the population will have an impact on brain health.