Most of us think of dentists when our gums are sore, not brain scans. Yet a new study hints that what’s happening along the gumline may show up deep inside the brain.
Here’s what the scientists measured, what it could mean, and how to protect yourself while we wait for more answers.
Gum disease may not only concern the mouth - (Image Credit: Andrii Iemelianenko via Shutterstock / HDR tune by Universal-Sci)
Why your gums might matter to your brain
The study, published October 22, 2025 in Neurology Open Access, looked at white matter—the network of nerve fibers that helps different parts of the brain talk to each other. On MRI scans, damage to white matter often appears as bright spots called “white matter hyperintensities.” These spots tend to increase with age and have been linked to problems with memory, thinking, balance, and higher stroke risk.
Researchers examined 1,143 adults (average age 77). Everyone had a dental exam for gum disease (also called periodontal disease) and a brain scan to look for small-vessel changes. Of the group, 800 had gum disease and 343 did not.
According to the research team, people with gum disease had more white matter hyperintensities overall: on average, these spots accounted for 2.83% of total brain volume, compared with 2.52% in people without gum disease. When researchers divided participants into four groups by the amount of white matter hyperintensity (from less than 6.41 cm³ to more than 21.36 cm³), 28% of people with gum disease landed in the highest group, versus 19% without gum disease.
What the researchers actually found (and didn’t)
Even after accounting for age, sex, race, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, having gum disease was linked with 56% higher odds of being in the group with the most white matter hyperintensity volume. That’s an association, not proof of cause and effect.
Importantly, the study did not find links between gum disease and two other common small-vessel brain changes: cerebral microbleeds and lacunar infarcts. That helps narrow where any potential connection might be.
Souvik Sen, MD, MS, MPH, of the University of South Carolina, noted the potential significance while urging caution: “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,” said study author Souvik Sen, MD, MS, MPH, of the University of South Carolina in Columbia. “While more research is needed to understand this relationship, these findings add to growing evidence that keeping your mouth healthy may support a healthier brain.”
What you can do now - while science catches up
This was a snapshot in time: dental checks and brain imaging were done once, so the study can’t track changes or prove that gum disease leads to brain changes. Still, the practical takeaway is simple: caring for your mouth is good for overall health—and may be good for your brain, too.
Keep up with daily care. Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss (or use interdental brushes) once a day to remove plaque near the gumline.
See your dental team regularly. Professional cleanings and early treatment for bleeding gums, recession, or loose teeth can limit inflammation.
Mind the whole-body factors. Manage blood pressure and blood sugar, don’t smoke, and stay active—each supports blood vessel health in the mouth and the brain.
Know the signs to watch. Persistent bad breath, tender or bleeding gums, and shifting teeth are common signs of gum disease—bring them up at your next visit.
As Sen put it: “Gum disease is preventable and treatable”. “If future studies confirm this link, it could offer a new avenue for reducing cerebral small vessel disease by targeting oral inflammation. For now, it underscores how dental care may support long-term brain health.”
Sources, further reading and more interesting articles on the subject of Health, Mind & Brain:
Are Soft Foods Quietly Compromising Your Brain Health? - (Universal-Sci)
Worrying amounts of microplastics found in human brain tissue - how to reduce exposure - (Universal-Sci)
Scientists predict that the number of people suffering from dementia will triple in less than 30 years - (Universal-Sci)
Feeling Tired Despite Getting Enough Hours of Sleep? This Could be the Culprit - (Universal-Sci)
Is Food Quality More Important Than Reducing Fat or Carbs for Heart Health? - (Universal-Sci)
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