{"id":110,"date":"2026-06-08T18:55:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T18:55:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.periosandiego.com\/blog\/?p=110"},"modified":"2026-06-17T18:59:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T18:59:01","slug":"oral-health-affects-brain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.periosandiego.com\/blog\/oral-health-affects-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"How Is Oral Health Connected to the Brain?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Poor oral health is associated with a wide range of serious issues like diabetes, pneumonia, and sepsis, but you may not be aware of how neglecting your dental hygiene can negatively affect the brain. Recent studies show that factors associated with poor dental health like gum disease<\/a>, tooth loss, and plaque accumulations may increase your risk of stroke and other issues. Here\u2019s a quick look at how taking care of your teeth and gums can help your brain stay healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Can Poor Oral Health Affect Brain Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Based on a study of about 40,000 adults, researchers found that people who had issues like cavities, gum disease, and missing teeth were significantly more likely to have accumulated white matter damage in the brain. It\u2019s also been noted that infections caused by inflammation of the gums may lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which can increase a patient\u2019s risk of stroke as well as other cardiovascular events like a heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Poor Oral Health Affect My Psychological Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tooth loss, dental decay, bad breath, and other issues caused by poor oral hygiene can make people anxious about showing their teeth when they smile, laugh, speak, or engage socially. This can set them up for unpleasant feelings like embarrassment, loneliness, sadness, isolation, and depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Keep My Mouth in Great Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To keep your teeth and gums happy and healthy, be sure to limit your intake of sugars and acids while adhering to the following oral hygiene regimen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n