{"id":716,"date":"2024-06-20T10:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T10:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/?p=716"},"modified":"2024-06-25T15:00:39","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T15:00:39","slug":"the-link-between-oral-and-brain-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/the-link-between-oral-and-brain-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Clean Smiles & Sharp Minds: The Link Between Oral & Brain Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For most people today, clean teeth and gums<\/a> are valuable enough on their own. They let you avoid cavities, gum disease, and other painful mouth issues. Still, you\u2019d do well to note the link between oral and brain health. Keeping your mouth strong and healthy tends to do the same for your brain. So, read on to learn how oral health relates to brain health, why the two are linked, and tips on keeping your mouth healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Oral Health Relates to Brain Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A clean and healthy mouth speaks to more than just your smile. As it turns out, your oral health strongly relates to brain health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This conclusion comes from a 2023 study published in Neurology<\/em>\u00ae, <\/em>the American Academy of Neurology medical journal. The study found that gum disease and tooth loss were linked to brain shrinkage in the hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and has a connection to Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, its researchers noted that the number of teeth and amount of gum disease predicted changes in the brain region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All that said, the study\u2019s authors didn\u2019t claim that gum disease or tooth loss causes Alzheimer’s disease. They emphasized that their research only shows an association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Your Mouth & Brain Relate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many scientists, the study above shows that a mouth\u2019s health directly affects the brain. Whether your smile is doing well will impact whether the same holds for your gray matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for why the mouth and brain relate, the leading theory points to inflammation. Evidence already shows that bacteria that cause gum disease can slowly spread to other organs. Since these microbes travel through the bloodstream, they may inflame brain tissue and cause it to shrink. The result would be a decline in memory and similar effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Keep Your Mouth Healthy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You should look after your mouth to keep your brain strong and sharp. Consider the tips listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n