The best defence? A good offence

Substantial evidence now exists linking oral health with general systemic health. Poor dental hygiene has been associated with an increased risk of many conditions, from diabetes to heart disease, and the latest research has further demonstrated the influence of oral health on brain health.

The link between mouth and brain

Presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2023, a study evaluated approximately 40,000 UK adults without a history of stroke. Data was analysed for participants, identifying those with genetic factors that predisposed them to cavities, dentures and missing teeth. They were then tested for brain health from MRI images, with researchers looking for white matter hyperintensities (damage in the white matter of the brain that impacts memory, balance and mobility) and microstructural damage (differences in the fine architecture of the brain compared to a normal, healthy brain scan).