Poor dental health and faster brain aging

What's the news: Poor dental health is tied to poor brain health.

Why should we believe it: This news is based on a study published last week by scientists in Japan. They looked at a population of 172 adults, average age 67. The scientists tracked these folks over 4 years and found:

• Gum disease was linked to faster brain shrinkage

• One tooth lost to to disease was equivalent to almost 1 year of extra brain aging

Why this is a big deal: This study only reports a correlation, not causation. But it's not hard to imagine how bad dental health could directly harm your brain. Gum disease drives up bodywide inflammation, and we know inflammation is tied to specific bad brain outcomes, including brain shrinkage and Alzheimer's disease.

So what specifically can you do now: Take your dental health seriously. Go to the dentist to get a checkup and to fix any lingering problems. Simplistic though it might sound, brush your teeth. Not only will your mouth be happier, but your overall health is likely to be better, and your brain will be protected from unnecessary, low-grade, chronic damage.