Oct. 21, 2024—Good dental care may safeguard more than your smile. Recent research suggests that it may also help protect your brain from dementia.
According to reports from the American Academy of Neurology, National Institute on Aging (NIA) and other experts, researchers looking at the links between dental problems and cognitive decline have found:
- A faster rate of shrinkage in the hippocampus (a part of the brain responsible for memory) among those with severe gum disease.
- Increased white matter changes in the brain—which may predict cognitive decline—among people with a genetic propensity for dental problems.
- A link between missing teeth and a higher risk for cognitive impairment and dementia, compared to people with more teeth. For every tooth lost, participants had a 1% higher dementia risk.
Inflammation to blame?
Dementia isn't the only condition linked to dental health. Heart disease and diabetes, for example, also are associated with gum disease. But how?
Many experts point to damage from inflammation—the body's response to injuries.
Gum disease involves chronic inflammation in the mouth. That might release inflammatory substances throughout the body as well. Scientists also say that oral bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream. These bad germs might trigger inflammation in the brain or other organs.
While dental health problems are linked to dementia or other issues, more research is needed to know if it's truly causing dementia—or if it's the other way around. For instance, people with dementia may forget to brush their teeth, which could lead to tooth loss. It's also possible that dementia and dental problems could both be caused by something else.
But if dental health problems do contribute to dementia, then that's another good reason to take care of your mouth. Here are a few pointers from the NIA and other experts:
- Brush and floss. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss them daily. To get the most benefit, take a minute to brush up on the proper technique for cleaning your teeth.
- Enjoy a crunchy snack. Munching on crunchy foods, such as crisp, raw vegetables, helps clean your teeth.
- Say yes to water. Unlike sugary or acidic beverages, water won't damage tooth enamel. And it helps ease dry mouth, a lack of saliva that can raise your risk of tooth decay.
- If you smoke, try your best to quit. Smoking increases the risk of gum disease and tooth loss.
- See a dentist regularly. Get checkups at least twice a year.
Sources
- AARP. "6 Surprising Ways Dental Health May Affect Your Body." https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2021/dental-hygiene-heart-disease-dementia.html.
- American Academy of Neurology. "11 Dental Care Tips to Boost Brain Health." https://www.brainandlife.org/the-magazine/articles/2023/december-january-2023/dental-care-tips-boost-brain-health/.
- American Academy of Neurology. "Research Suggests Good Oral Health May Reduce Risk of Cognitive Decline." https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/good-oral-health-may-reduce-risk-cognitive-decline.
- National Institute on Aging. "Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth." https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/teeth-and-mouth/taking-care-your-teeth-and-mouth.
- National Institute on Aging. "Tooth Loss in Older Adults Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia." https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/tooth-loss-older-adults-linked-higher-risk-dementia.