Did you brush your teeth?

A new study links gum disease to signs of brain damage in older adults.

These signs, called white matter hyperintensities, are thought to show damage to the brain’s white matter, according to the report published October 22 in Neurology Open Access. White matter enables communication between different areas of the brain, and damage can interfere with memory, reasoning, balance and coordination. White matter damage is also connected to increased risk of stroke.

“This study shows a link between gum disease and white matter hyperintensities, suggesting oral health may play a role in brain health that we are only beginning to understand,” study author Souvic Sen of the University of South Carolina told the American Academy of Neurology.

“While more research is nee

See Full Page