What is it about?
Chewing is more than just a way to eat food - it actually helps increase blood flow to our brains, which is important for brain health. This study looked at how jaw alignment might affect this process. The researchers compared two groups of people: those with normal jaw alignment and those with a condition called mandibular prognathism, where the lower jaw sticks out too far. Using a special brain imaging technique, they found that chewing increased blood flow to certain parts of the brain in both groups. However, the increase was smaller in people with misaligned jaws. This is important because reduced blood flow to the brain over time could potentially impact cognitive functions like memory and learning. The study suggests that correcting jaw alignment issues might not just improve eating and appearance, but could also benefit brain health. In one case, when a patient's jaw alignment was surgically corrected, their brain blood flow during chewing improved. While more research is needed, this study highlights an unexpected link between dental health and brain function, emphasizing the importance of proper jaw alignment for overall health.
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Why is it important?
This study breaks new ground by revealing an unexpected connection between jaw alignment and brain function. While previous research has shown links between dental health and cognitive function, this is the first study to specifically examine how mandibular prognathism (an overbite where the lower jaw protrudes) affects brain blood flow during chewing. The findings are timely for several reasons: 1. Aging population: As our global population ages, there's increasing focus on maintaining cognitive health. This study suggests a new avenue for potentially supporting brain health through dental interventions. 2. Holistic health approaches: There's growing interest in understanding how different body systems interact. This research bridges the gap between dental health and neurology in a novel way. 3. Non-invasive imaging: The study uses functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a non-invasive brain imaging technique. This aligns with current trends towards less invasive medical procedures and diagnostics. 4. Preventative healthcare: The findings suggest that early orthodontic intervention could have benefits beyond cosmetic and functional improvements, potentially impacting long-term brain health. The difference this research could make: 1. Clinical practice: Orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeons might consider brain health as an additional factor when planning treatments for jaw misalignment. 2. Public health: It could lead to increased emphasis on early detection and correction of jaw alignment issues as part of overall health maintenance. 3. Future research: This study opens up new avenues for investigation into the relationship between oral health and brain function, potentially leading to innovative therapies or preventive strategies for cognitive decline. 4. Patient education: It provides a new perspective for patients considering orthodontic or surgical correction of jaw misalignment, highlighting potential cognitive benefits beyond the usual aesthetic and functional improvements. By bridging multiple disciplines and revealing a previously unknown connection between oral health and brain function, this research has the potential to impact both clinical practice and our understanding of cognitive health maintenance.
Perspectives
This study offers an intriguing glimpse into the complex relationship between oral health and brain function. The finding that jaw misalignment (mandibular prognathism) is associated with reduced brain blood flow during chewing is both surprising and thought-provoking. From a broader perspective, this research underscores the interconnectedness of different bodily systems and highlights the potential far-reaching effects of oral health issues. It challenges us to think beyond the traditional boundaries of dental health and consider its impact on overall well-being, including cognitive function. The study's use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain blood flow is noteworthy. This non-invasive technique allows for real-time monitoring of brain activity during natural behaviors like chewing, providing valuable insights that might be difficult to obtain with other imaging methods. While the results are promising, it's important to note that this is a relatively small study and more research would be needed to fully understand the relationship between jaw alignment and brain function. Future studies could explore whether these findings hold true for larger and more diverse populations, and investigate the long-term cognitive impacts of jaw misalignment. The case report included in the study, showing improved brain blood flow after surgical correction of jaw alignment, is particularly intriguing. It raises questions about the potential reversibility of these effects and the optimal timing for interventions. This research opens up new avenues for interdisciplinary collaboration between dentistry, orthodontics, neurology, and cognitive science. It may lead to more holistic approaches in dental and orthodontic treatment, where practitioners consider not just functional and aesthetic outcomes, but also potential cognitive benefits. Lastly, this study serves as a reminder of the importance of seemingly small aspects of our physiology. It suggests that something as seemingly straightforward as how we chew our food could have significant implications for our brain health. This underscores the need for continued research into the subtle ways our daily behaviors and physical characteristics might influence our cognitive function and overall health.
Hiroyuki Kanzaki
Tsurumi University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Mandibular prognathism attenuates brain blood flow induced by chewing, Scientific Reports, December 2019, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55553-5.
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