Mind Over Mouth: How Oral Health Impacts Brain Health

Throughout the year, Pacific Dental Services is highlighting oral-systemic health links related to the Mouth-Body Connection ® . In Q2, PDS is featuring brain health content for consumers and team members alike focused on this important and powerful part of the body. Each quarter, a new Mouth-Body Connection training module will be available to all team members in PDS University so you can better educate your patients on oral health and how it relates to overall health.

Did You Know Poor Oral Hygiene Can Affect your Ability to Learn?

What if there was something you could do every day that would help your brain health, improve your memory and actually boost your learning abilities as you age?

Well, there is something you can do. It’s as simple as keeping your mouth healthy.

There is plenty of evidence that shows poor oral health can lead to or worsen a host of illnesses and disorders, including heart disease, inflammation and diabetes. In the brain alone, gum disease can increase the risk for stroke or dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Now, some studies are showing that poor oral health can affect things like cognitive function, memory and learning loss.

How does that happen?

Generally, having cavities or gum disease can lead to inflammation that travels through similar pathways that lead to the brain. Not only can that inflammation lead to increased risk of stroke or other brain diseases, but it can affect the way the brain works. Thus, cognitive functions that we use every day, such as remembering, learning new skills and solving problems are diminished.

Similarly, because a person with pain in their mouth might not eat certain foods, the potential nutritional value that might have been beneficial to the brain is lost.

Finally, once brain ability declines, there’s the further potential that dental health may worsen because of reduced attention to oral hygiene.

People typically think about older adults when it comes to poor oral health and the brain, but children and younger adults can also be affected. Early tooth loss caused by tooth decay can result in a failure to thrive, speech delay and reduced self-esteem. Left untreated, the pain and infection caused by tooth decay can result in problems with eating, speaking, attentiveness and learning.

With that said, there are things you can do to help your brain and ensure that your mind is in tip-top shape.

First off, make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and seeing your dentist regularly. If you have any bleeding, pain or other dental and health problems, let your dentist know. For younger children, ask your dentist if they need extra protection, such as dental sealants. Keeping your brain healthy follows the same rules as making sure the rest of your body is fit: Eating well, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep.

So keep taking care of your mouth. Your brain will remember to thank you.

Featured Brain Health Modules on PDSU:

C-CLNC331 Let’s Start Talking About Oral Health and Brain Health for Clinical Teams

G-FRNT331 Let’s Start Talking About Oral Health and Brain Health for Front Office Teams

Visit PDSU for featured Mouth- Body Connection modules and other popular courses such as:

• Achieving Focus and Productivity at Work

• The Ingredients of Communication

• How to Be Assertive

• The 12 Guidelines of Effective Time Management

• Starting with Why: Become Responsible for the People Who Are Responsible for the Results

Additional Mouth-Body Connection Resources:

Generations of Smiles Magazine

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May and Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June, this issue is focused on mental health, brain health and the connection of these conditions to oral health. Read Now

32 Reasons Book and Digital Experience

We invite you to sign up for the email journey and access a digital copy of the book by texting “grin” to 764537 (Smiles) or accessing the landing page here. Please share your thoughts on the book and digital experience by emailing Nina.Robinson@PacDen.com.