There’s a lot going on between your alarm and finally getting out the door every morning. But apart from looking your best on the day, it seems that some daily habits can have a big impact on the fact that your brain stays healthy for years. This is because a new study has found that brushing your teeth twice a day can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Read on to see why taking care of your pearl whites can be beneficial to your brain, and for more information on how to do oral hygiene properly, check out This is the Absolutely Worst Time to Brush Your Teeth, say dentists.
The study, conducted by researchers at NYU’s College of Dentistry and Weill Cornell Medicine, was published in the journal Alzheimer’s and dementia: diagnosis, assessment and monitoring of diseases, examined 48 elderly people over the age of 65 who showed no signs of dementia by performing oral swabs and collecting samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The team then looked at the levels of both good and bad microbes found in each patient.
The study found that patients with higher levels of good bacteria in their mouths had lower levels of amyloids in their spinal cord. According to previous studies, amyloids are the proteins that can build up in the nervous system, forming plaques that can interfere with neural signals that can lead to cell death and dementia. New York Post reports.
According to the results, researchers concluded that a higher level of good bacteria can help reduce inflammation and maintain a balance between flora and mouth. “Our results show the importance of the overall oral microbiome – not only the role of ‘bad’ bacteria but also ‘good’ bacteria – in modulating amyloid levels, ‘ Angela Kamer, PhD, associate professor of periodontology and implant medicine at the NYU College of Dentistry and lead author of the study, said in a statement.
“To our knowledge, this is the first study to show an association between the unbalanced bacterial community found beneath the gums and a CSF biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease in cognitively normal older adults,” Kamer added. “The mouth is home to both harmful bacteria that promote inflammation and healthy, protective bacteria. We have found evidence for brain amyloid associated with increased harmful and reduced beneficial bacteria.” And for more brain health, look if you have this blood type, your risk for dementia is high, study says.
The authors of the study pointed out that the findings are also significant because 70 percent of elderly people over 65 suffer from periodontal disease. The disease causes pockets between teeth and gums to become inflamed and enlarged, creating conditions that can help bacteria, StudyFinds reports.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), red, swollen or soft gums, persistent bad breath and bleeding when brushing or flossing can be signs that you have gum disease. The ADA recommends brushing your teeth every day for no less than two minutes with a gentle bristle brush to combat the condition, as well as keeping your regular annual checkups at your dentist.
But this is not the first time that research can find a link between regular brushing and your overall health. In a study published on January 29 in the Journal of Periodontology, researchers from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine used PET and CT scans of 304 participants to measure inflammation in each patient’s veins and gums.
The team found that 13 individuals developed serious adverse cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack, after following up on four patients each year. This enabled them to conclude that the presence of active gum disease (seen through inflamed gums) was an early, predictive risk factor in patients who had had a heart attack. And for more warning signs about your cardiovascular health: if it wakes you up at night, your heart may be in danger, experts warn.