27 Jul 2023 • Gum disease and tooth loss are linked to hippocampal atrophy and may have a more negative impact on the brain than aging, new research suggests. Investigators found that in a late middle-aged and older cohort, among patients with mild periodontitis, having fewer teeth was linked to a faster rate of left hippocampal atrophy. For those with severe gum disease, each additional lost tooth was associated with a faster rate of brain shrinkage, equivalent to 1.3 years of brain aging.

The findings were published online American Academy of Neurology's Journal earlier this month. Although previous research suggests that tooth loss and periodontitis are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, longitudinal research has not shown a significant correlation between these conditions and hippocampal atrophy.

• To clarify this association, the investigators followed 172 men and women (average age, 67 years) who had undergone two MRI brain scans 4 years apart and had had a dental examination.
• None of the participants had any signs of cognitive decline at baseline.
• Among those with mild periodontitis, having fewer teeth correlated with more rapid atrophy of the left hippocampus, such that every tooth lost was equivalent to nearly 1 year of brain aging.
• In contrast, having more teeth was associated with a faster rate of left hippocampal atrophy among those with severe periodontitis and was equivalent to 1.3 years of brain aging.
• For those with severe gum disease, each additional lost tooth corresponded to a faster rate of brain shrinkage, equivalent to 1.3 years of brain aging.

"This finding indicates that periodontitis may have a greater association with left hippocampal atrophy than the association exhibited by age. Controlling the progression of gum disease through regular dental visits is crucial, and teeth with severe gum disease may need to be extracted and replaced with appropriate prosthetic devices." the investigators write.

Source: Neurology | Read full story