Taking care of your teeth and gums may do more than just protect your smile—it might also help protect your brain.
New research published on October 22, 2025, in Neurology® Open Access, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that adults with gum disease may be more likely to have signs of brain injury.
These injuries show up as small bright spots on brain scans called white matter hyperintensities, which are linked to problems with memory, balance, and even stroke risk.
White matter is the part of the brain made up of nerve fibers that connect different regions, allowing them to send messages to one another. When white matter becomes damaged, it can slow down how the brain communicates, leading to difficulties with thinking, memory, and coordination.
These white matter hyperintensities, or WMHs, often increase as we age and are considered a warning sign of brain injury. Researchers have long known that poor circulation and inflammation can harm white matter, but this new s…
The study was led by Dr. Souvik Sen from the University of South Carolina, who said the findings suggest oral health might play an important role in brain health—something scientists are only beginning to fully understand.
While the research does not prove that gum disease directly causes brain injury, it adds to growing evidence that inflammation in the mouth could affect blood vessels in the brain and overall brain function.
The researchers looked at 1,143 older adults with an average age of 77. All participants had detailed dental exams to check for gum disease, which is caused by bacteria that infect the gums and lead to inflammation and tissue damage.
Out of the total group, 800 people had gum disease, while 343 did not. Each person also had a brain scan to measure signs of small vessel disease—damage to the tiny blood vessels that supply the brain with oxygen and nutrients. This kind of damage can show up on brain scans as whi…
The results were striking. People with gum disease had a higher average volume of these white matter hyperintensities—2.83% of their total brain volume—compared to 2.52% in those without gum disease.
While that may sound like a small difference, it became meaningful when researchers grouped participants by the amount of damage seen. Those with gum disease were 56% more likely to fall into the group with the highest levels of white matter damage. Nearly 28% of participants with gum disease were in this high-d…
Interestingly, the researchers did not find any link between gum disease and other types of brain changes that can occur with small vessel disease, such as tiny brain bleeds or small strokes called lacunar infarcts. This suggests that gum disease may be linked specifically to damage in white matter rather than all forms of small blood vessel injury.
Although the study only shows an association—not a cause-and-effect relationship—it provides valuable insight into how oral health might affect brain health.
Chronic gum disease creates ongoing inflammation in the body, and scientists believe that this inflammation could travel through the bloodstream, harming blood vessels in other parts of the body, including the brain. Over time, this may make the brain more vulnerable to injury.
Dr. Sen emphasized that gum disease is both preventable and treatable. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups can significantly reduce the risk of infection and inflammation in the mouth. “If future studies confirm this link,” Sen said, “we might one day be able to reduce brain injuries caused by small vessel disease simply by targeting oral inflammation.”
The researchers note that one limitation of their work is that dental exams and brain scans were only done once, so they could not track changes over time.
However, the findings still add to a growing body of evidence connecting oral health and brain health. This study reinforces the idea that good dental hygiene could play a much bigger role in protecting long-term brain function than most people realize.
In simple terms, what’s good for your gums might also be good for your brain. Taking care of your mouth may not just prevent cavities—it could help preserve your memory and keep your brain healthy as you age.
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The study is published in Neurology Open Access.
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