Dr. Satoshi Yamaguchi, an associate professor at Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry in Sendai, Japan, emphasized the potential link between maintaining healthy teeth and protecting brain health. The study, involving 172 participants with an average age of 67 and no initial memory issues, aimed to explore the connection between dental health and brain function.
While the study did not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the number of healthy teeth, gum disease status, and dementia, previous research suggests that persistent inflammation might be a contributing factor. Dr. Yamaguchi highlighted the possibility of periodontal disease pathogens invading the brain and causing nerve tissue damage. Additionally, he pointed out that having fewer teeth could result in reduced chewing stimulation, potentially leading to brain atrophy.
Participants underwent dental examinations and memory tests at the study’s commencement, with brain scans measuring hippocampal volume at the outset and four years later. The research team also assessed the number of teeth and checked for gum disease.
Results indicated that individuals with mild gum disease and fewer healthy teeth, as well as those with severe gum disease and more healthy teeth, experienced a faster rate of shrinkage in the left hippocampus. The study found that the accelerated brain shrinkage associated with the loss of one tooth equated to nearly one year of aging for those with mild gum disease and 1.3 years for those with severe gum disease.
Dr. Yamaguchi emphasized the importance of retaining teeth while cautioning against retaining more teeth in the presence of severe periodontal disease, as it could potentially be detrimental to the brain. Regular dental visits, controlling periodontal disease progression, and considering tooth extraction and denture replacement for severe cases were recommended.
Dr. Saul Pressner, a New York City-based dentist, underscored the significance of oral health care, recommending practices such as good oral hygiene, daily flossing, using a water flosser, and regular biannual dental checkups to prevent periodontal disease.
Percy Griffin, director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association, acknowledged the study’s contribution to existing evidence linking oral health and cognition. While emphasizing the need for more extensive and diverse research, Griffin highlighted the importance of good oral hygiene for overall health and healthy aging. He also mentioned other modifiable lifestyle factors, including exercise and diet, that can reduce the risk of thinking and memory problems as one ages.
Link to the study – https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000207579
