Research published October 22, 2025, in Neurology® Open Access reports that older adults with gum disease had more white matter hyperintensities—a marker of tissue damage—than peers without gum disease, even after accounting for other risks.
Adults with gum disease were more likely to show signs of injury in the brain’s white matter, according to a study published October 22, 2025, in Neurology® Open Access, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The authors stress the findings show an association and do not prove causation. (aan.com)
White matter hyperintensities—small bright spots on MRI—are considered indicators of damaged tissue and have been linked to problems with memory, reasoning, balance and coordination, as well as higher stroke risk. (aan.com)
The research team, which included first author Jaclyn Meyer and Souvik Sen, MD, MS, MPH, of the University of South Carolina, analyzed data from 1,143 adults with an average age of 77. Participants received dental exams and brain scans to assess gum health and markers of cerebral small vessel disease, including white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microbleeds and lacunar infarcts. (aan.com)
Of the group, 800 had gum disease and 343 did not. Those with gum disease had a greater burden of white matter hyperintensities—accounting for 2.83% of total brain volume versus 2.52% among those without gum disease. When participants were grouped by white matter hyperintensity volume, the highest category was more than 21.36 cm³ and the lowest was less than 6.41 cm³; 28% of people with gum disease fell into the highest category compared with 19% without gum disease. After adjusting for age, sex, race, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking, gum disease was associated with 56% higher odds of being in the highest group. (aan.com)
No association was found between gum disease and two other small-vessel disease markers—cerebral microbleeds and lacunar infarcts—suggesting the observed link may be specific to white matter hyperintensities. (aan.com)
“This study shows a link” between gum disease and white matter hyperintensities, and oral health “may play a role” in brain health, Sen noted. He added, “Gum disease is preventable and treatable,” underscoring that if future research confirms the relationship, targeting oral inflammation could offer a way to reduce small vessel disease burden. (aan.com)
The authors noted a key limitation: dental assessments and brain imaging were performed once, which limits conclusions about changes over time and precludes establishing cause and effect. (aan.com)