Good oral hygiene is linked to more than just a healthy smile: a new study suggests it might have an impact on brain health as well. Researchers from Yale School of Medicine and the University of Cincinnati conducted a study involving 40,000 adults. The results, which will be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference, showed that those with a tendency for cavities, missing teeth, and dentures had a 24% increase in white matter hyperintensities and a 43% increase in microstructural damage scores visible on MRIs. This kind of damage is linked to memory impairment, balance and mobility issues, and stroke and dementia risk.
While the study did not demonstrate that dental hygiene actually improves brain health, the findings suggest that proper oral health could potentially lead to less change in the brain and less stroke and dementia risk in the future. Dr. Joseph Broderick from the American Stroke Association notes that taking care of one’s teeth is an easy, low-cost way to potentially improve overall health. Dr. Shyam Prabhakaran from the University of Chicago School of Medicine adds that good research has been done on the impact of dental infections, and something as simple as brushing one’s teeth is well worth it. The findings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.