A new study points to the effects of poor oral hygiene on the brain, and in particular memory.
Brushing your teeth, of course, only has positive effects. We already know that poor oral hygiene can promote heart problems, but also our neurons according to a preliminary study not yet published, and which will be presented at the congress. International Stroke Conference 2023which will be held from February 8 to 10 in Dallas.
Data from 40,000 people
For their study, the scientists analyzed the health data of 40,000 adults aged 57 on average, and who had no history of stroke.
On the other hand, they were carriers of genetic predispositions to develop dental problems such as cavities, or to the loss of teeth.
What result?
MRIs of these adults revealed markers of poor brain health in those with unhealthy teeth, particularly white matter in large amounts. This is myelin, which surrounds nerve fibers and acts as an insulating substance.
The authors of the study indicate that the excess of myelin is associated with a cognitive decline, because it would come to alter in particular the memory, balance, when it is 24% more present than it should be.
Oral hygiene to watch
Cyprien Rivier, from the Department of Neurology at Yale University and co-author of the study, summarizes:
Poor oral health [a des conséquences néfastes sur] brain health, so we need to be extra careful with our oral hygiene as it has repercussions far beyond the mouth.
And he adds that “This study is preliminary and more evidence is needed – ideally from clinical trials – to confirm that, in the population, improving oral health will have a positive impact on brain health.”
