Genetics May Play a Role in the Oral-Brain Health Connection

The oral-systemic health connection seems clear. Countless studies have shown how issues ranging from periodontal diseases to tooth loss can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and more. Among the possible casualties is the brain.

The American Stroke Association (ASA) estimates that three out of five people in the United States will develop brain disease in their lifetimes and cites stroke to be the fifth leading cause of death in the nation.¹ A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. Both can lead to brain damage or even brain death. There are myriad risk factors for stroke, including lifestyle choices and medical issues. Now new research is pointing to poor oral health and a genetic predisposition as stroke risk factors.¹

GENETICS AS A RISK FACTOR

Recent research out of the Yale School of Medicine links genetics and poor oral hygiene habits with increased risk for stroke. Between 2014 and 2021, researchers analyzed the oral health-brain health connection in about 40,000 adults in the United Kingdom. None had a history of stroke. The subjects were screened for 105 genetic variants known to predispose people to developing caries and more severe oral health issues later in life.

With the aid of magnetic resonance imaging, they found a higher burden of silent cerebrovascular disease and increased damage to the fine architecture of the brain among those genetically prone to oral health issues such as caries and edentulism compared to normal, healthy brain scans.

EARLY TREATMENT CRUCIAL

Presenting their findings at the American Stroke Association’s 2023 International Stroke Conference, the authors concluded that evidence for declining brain health was more likely in adults genetically prone to poor oral health compared to those with healthy teeth and gums. They proposed that early treatment of poor oral health may yield immense benefits in safeguarding brain health.

MULTIFACETED PROBLEM

Though the Yale study suggests a potentially significant genetic influence of oral health over brain health, other factors can have bearing on both. The researchers agree that more study is needed.

ASA volunteer expert Joseph P. Broderick, MD, FAHA, a professor at the University of Cincinnati Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine and director of the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, cautions, “… genetic profiles for increased risk of oral health may overlap with genetic risk factors for other chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, stroke, infections, etc. that are known to be related to brain imaging markers.”

However, Broderick, who was not involved in the study, says that he finds the results intriguing enough to prompt more research.

Reference

1. American Stroke Association. Poor Oral Health May Contribute to Declines in Brain Health.