WASHINGTON, Nov 13: Older adults with gum disease may be more likely to show subtle brain changes linked to memory, balance, and movement problems, according to new research from the American Academy of Neurology.

The study found that adults with gum disease were more likely to have white matter hyperintensities—bright spots visible on brain scans that indicate damage to nerve fibers responsible for communication between different brain regions. These changes have been associated with memory decline, impaired coordination, and an increased risk of stroke.

Published on October 22, 2025, in Neurology Open Access, the research examined 1,143 adults with an average age of 77. Dental exams revealed that 800 participants had gum disease, while 343 did not. All participants also underwent brain scans to assess cerebral small vessel disease, which can manifest as white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microbleeds, or lacunar infarcts—age-related changes linked to cognitive and mobility impairments.

On average, participants with gum disease had white matter hyperintensities covering 2.83% of total brain volume, compared to 2.52% among those without gum disease. Among the highest group—those with more than 21.36 cubic centimeters (cm³) of hyperintensities—28% had gum disease, versus 19% without. After adjusting for factors including age, sex, race, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, gum disease remained associated with a 56% higher likelihood of being in the group with the most extensive white matter damage.

Study author Dr. Souvik Sen of the University of South Carolina in Columbia said the findings “show 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.” He noted that while the study does not prove a direct cause, it adds to growing evidence that maintaining oral hygiene could support long-term brain health.

The research did not find a connection between gum disease and other small vessel disease markers, including cerebral microbleeds and lacunar infarcts. Dr. Sen emphasized that gum disease is preventable and treatable, and targeting oral inflammation could become a strategy for reducing cerebral small vessel disease if future studies confirm the link.

One limitation of the study is that both dental assessments and brain scans were conducted only once, preventing analysis of changes over time. Nonetheless, the results point to a potentially important connection between oral health and brain function that warrants further investigation.