Study suggests that poor oral health could lead to brain decline

From avoiding certain food and drinks that stain your teeth, to avoiding common mouthwash mistake, there's lots that you are probably doing to ensure that your pearly whites stay looking good. But even beyond vanity, oral health has far reaching consequences for the health of the rest of your body.

As dentists have repeated told us, there's lots that your teeth say about you. And as reported by Health, your teeth can also be a strong indicator of your brain health! Yes, a lack of proper dental hygiene has in fact, been found to be connected to brain decline.

Poor oral health and brain decline

As per the report, a preliminary research presented in American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference, suggests that poor dental health with gum disease, missing teeth etc, as well as poor dental hygiene, brushing habits and lack of plaque removal, could also be a contributing factor in increasing the risk of strokes.

In the course of this study, researchers observed the potential link between oral health and brain health among about 40,000 adults without a history of stroke, enrolled in the U.K. Biobank.

Study author Cyprien Rivier, M.D., M.S., a postdoctoral fellow in neurology at the Yale School of Medicine underlines the conclusions of the study saying,

Poor oral health may cause declines in brain health, so we need to be extra careful with our oral hygiene because it has implications far beyond the mouth,

Sources used:

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More research needs to be done on the subject

However, Dr. Rivier also underlined the necessity of further research on the subject as this was just the preliminary study on the topic. He says,

However, this study is preliminary, and more evidence needs to be gathered – ideally through clinical trials – to confirm improving oral health in the population will lead to brain health benefits.

Health quotes Dr. Alan Reisinger, the associate medical director of healthcare company MDVIP and board member of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, who explains the likely reasons for the far-reaching impact of poor oral health and gum disease saying,

One possible reason is that when the body fights the bacteria that cause gum disease, it raises inflammation throughout the body. This systemic inflammation can increase a person’s risk for a host of problems including heart attacks, strokes, dementia, pregnancy complications, and certain cancers.

So, make sure you are keeping up with your dental appointments as well as cleaning your teeth and gums thoroughly.

Read more:

⋙ These popular teeth 'hacks' could cause you permanent damage

Sources used:

Health: 'Poor Oral Health May Lead to a Decline in Brain Health'
Newsroom.Heart.Org: Poor oral health may contribute to declines in brain health