A new study suggests that gum disease may do more than damage your teeth — it might also harm your brain. Researchers have found that adults with gum disease tend to have more white matter damage, a sign of subtle brain injury that can affect memory, reasoning, and coordination.
The study, published in Neurology® Open Access by the American Academy of Neurology, examined more than 1,100 adults with an average age of 77 and found that participants with gum disease were significantly more likely to show small bright spots on their brain scans, known as white matter hyperintensities. These spots often increase with age and are linked to conditions such as stroke and cognitive decline, ScienceDaily reported.
Dr. Souvik Sen of the University of South Carolina, who led the research, said the findings highlight a connection between oral and brain health that is only beginning to be understood. “This study shows a link between gum disease and white matter damage, suggesting that oral health may play a role in brain health,” Sen said. “Keeping your mouth healthy could help protect your brain.”
Even after accounting for factors like age, blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, people with gum disease were found to have a 56% higher likelihood of being in the group with the most extensive white matter damage. Those with the condition had an average of 2.83% of their total brain volume affected, compared to 2.52% in people without gum disease.
Researchers suspect that chronic inflammation in the gums may affect blood vessel health in the brain, although more research is needed to confirm how the two are connected. Interestingly, gum disease did not appear to be linked to other forms of brain injury, such as small vessel blockages or microbleeds, suggesting a more specific impact on white matter.
Experts say the findings reinforce the importance of routine dental care — not just for oral hygiene but potentially for brain protection as well. Gum disease is both preventable and treatable, making it a simple but powerful way to support long-term brain health.
