January 1, Oral Hygiene and Brain Health: Can Brushing Teeth Help Ward Off Dementia?

A study recently published in the medical journal Neurology raises a potentially intriguing link between oral hygiene and brain health, suggesting that the simple act of brushing your teeth could be an unconventional weapon in reducing the risk of dementia.

People who maintained good dental hygiene appeared to have a higher count of neurons in the hippocampus, a key region of the brain involved in memory, the research found.

Conversely, conditions like gum disease and tooth loss correlated with declining mental health and a decrease in gray matter.

As per Dr. Satoshi Yamaguchi, lead author of the study, “Tooth loss and gum disease, which is inflammation of the tissue around the teeth that can cause shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth, are very common.”

“So evaluating a potential link with dementia is incredibly important. Our study found these conditions may play a role in the health of the brain area that controls thinking and memory — giving people another reason to take better care of their teeth.”

Chewing stimulates blood and oxygen flow to the brain, thus promoting overall brain health.

Tooth loss can also lead to unhealthy eating habits, which may indirectly affect cognitive health.

The research involved 172 Japanese participants with an average age of 67, none of whom reported memory problems at the beginning of the study.

Among those with mild gum disease, fewer teeth correlated with a faster rate of brain shrinkage in the left hippocampus, which plays a crucial role in remembering words and language.

Dr. Yamaguchi further emphasized the importance of regular dental visits to control the progression of gum disease, underlining that “teeth with severe gum disease may need to be extracted and replaced with appropriate prosthetic devices.”

Fox News contributor Dr. Marc Siegel validated the study’s findings, noting that a 2020 study by the National Institute on Aging also linked gum disease to dementia.

“It makes sense that brushing your teeth and caring for your gums decreases both bacteria and inflammation and thereby dementia,” he said.

Bottom Line

The latest findings do not establish a causal relationship between gum disease or tooth loss and Alzheimer’s disease but instead show a noteworthy association.

According to the World Health Organization, dementia currently affects over 55 million people worldwide and is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among the elderly.

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 60-70% of dementia cases.

While more extensive research is needed, this study adds a compelling piece to the puzzle of dementia prevention, underlining the importance of maintaining oral hygiene as part of a comprehensive approach to brain health.

As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.

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