RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS PA—The results of a new study, just published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, underscore a strong association between gum disease and brain health. As the study illustrates, you need to avoid the former to preserve the latter as you age.
THE DETAILS: To study the connection between gun disease and brain health, Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center analyzed data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, looking specifically at 2,355 men and women age 60 and older who'd received cognitive evaluations and had been confirmed to have gum disease. What the Columbia-based researchers found was that the participants with the highest levels of a bacterium at the root of some forms of gum disease were more likely to have poor delayed verbal memory (the ability to retain three words for a designated time period), and to do poorly on a serial subtraction test, than those participants with the lowest levels of the bacterium. In fact, the higher the levels of the germ, the worse participants did; the lower the level, the better they did.
WHAT IT MEANS: Dental health seems integral to mental health. “Periodontitis [gum disease] is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease associated with stroke,” say the study authors. Now it seems that gum disease and brain health are also connected in more subtle ways.
And research has all ready linked more serious dental disease to other health problems. "Inflammation and infections in the oral cavity affect the body systemically by increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory problems," says Sally Cram, DDS, consumer advisor and spokesperson for the American Dental Association and a practicing periodontist in Washington, DC. "So it makes sense that gingivitis—or, inflammation in the gums around the teeth—could possibly affect the brain as well."
Which means taking care of your teeth does a lot more than preserve your smile and your ability to chew. "Good oral health and prevention," adds Dr. Cram, "are your best investments in preventing pain, suffering, big dental expenses and, possibly, other systemic health issues as you get older."
Here’s how to protect your mental health, starting with your mouth:
• Brush and floss. Yes, you hear it all the time—but that’s because it works. "The absolute best way to prevent dental problems and all they bring is to brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and floss once a day," schools Dr. Cram. "There is no magic pill or ‘quick fix’ substitute for good old elbow grease—that is, getting in there every day and mechanically removing the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Your best dental and health insurance is prevention."
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months—or sooner, if the bristles are frayed. According to the American Dental Association, a worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
• Check in with your dentist routinely. Dr. Cram recommends regular checkups and cleanings with the dentist—every six months for people with no periodontal issues and every three to four months for those with a history of gum problems.
• Recognize the warning signs. The signs and symptoms of periodontal disease are bleeding, red, or swollen gums, loose teeth, receding gums, and bad breath. "Getting to the dentist early can reduce your need for more costly and involved procedures," notes Dr. Cram—and may actually save more than bucks; it could potentially save your brain.