Brushing Your Teeth Properly can Cut Down Alzheimer's Disease Risk

Brushing your teeth daily can boost your brain health and help keep Alzheimer's disease (AD) at bay, reports a new study.

A team of researchers has determined that gum disease (gingivitis) plays a decisive role in whether a person develops Alzheimer’s or not.

Alzheimer’s disease - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Stages, Types, Prevention, Prognosis & Treatment
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting memory and thinking and making the person increasingly dependent on others.

‘Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly can boost your oral health and also keep your mind sharp, thereby reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD).’
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"We discovered DNA-based proof that the bacteria causing gingivitis can move from the mouth to the brain," says researcher Piotr Mydel at Broegelmanns Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen (UiB).

The bacteria produces a protein that destroys nerve cells in the brain, which in turn leads to loss of memory and ultimately, Alzheimer’s.

Brush Your Teeth for Better Memory

Home Remedies For Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a mild periodontal disease, but it increases the risk of complications. Find out how to control gingivitis with home remedies and treatments.

Mydel points out that the bacteria is not causing Alzheimer’s alone, but the presence of these bacteria raise the risk for developing the disease substantially and are also implicated in a more rapid progression of the disease. However, the good news is that this study shows that there are some things you can do yourself to slow down Alzheimer’s.

"Brush your teeth and use floss," Mydel adds that it is important, if you have established gingivitis and have Alzheimer’s in your family, to go to your dentist regularly and clean your teeth properly.

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New Medicine Being Developed

Researchers have previously discovered that the bacteria causing gingivitis can move from the mouth to the brain where the harmful enzymes they excrete can destroy the nerve cells in the brain. Now, for the first time, Mydel has DNA-evidence for this process from human brains. Mydel and his colleagues examined 53 persons with Alzheimer’s and discovered the enzyme in 96 percent of the cases. According to Mydel, this knowledge gives researchers a possible new approach for attacking Alzheimer’s disease.

Oral Care Tips for Aging Teeth
Good oral hygiene habits should be maintained as you age so as to prevent oral health problems and to have a healthy smile that looks great even during old age.

"We have managed to develop a drug that blocks the harmful enzymes from the bacteria, postponing the development of Alzheimer’s. We are planning to test this drug later this year, says Piotr Mydel.

Facts: Gingivitis

The bacteria?Porphyromonas gingivalis?(P.gingivalis) is one of the main causes to infection in the gums.
The bacteria causes chronic infection in the gums, but can move to the brain where it can damage nerve cells in the brain.
Circa 50 percent of the population have this bacteria in one or another form.
Circa 10 percent of the ones having this bacteria will develop serious gum disease, loose teeth, and have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to Alzheimers, the bacteria is linked to rheumatism, COPD and esophageal cancer.

Source-Eurekalert