Brushing and flossing regularly will not only keep your mouth clean and your heart healthy, but good oral hygiene will also keep your mind sharp, according to new research from Columbia university. The researchers found that people with poor oral hygiene and bleeding gums are more likely to develop memory problems linked to dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. As the severity of the gingivitis increased, the severity of memory problems increased.
The study was recently published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. The researchers tested more than 2,300 men and women for the bacteria that cause periodontitis, or periodontal disease, a severe form of gum disease in which the damaged gums recede so far that teeth become loose. All participants in the study were volunteers aged 60 and above, and they were given several different memory tests.
The three word sequence couldn't be recalled by participants who had very high level of gum disease causing bacteria. The people who had the highest level of bacteria had twice the chance of failing the memory test based on mental arithmetic.
At this time, they are not sure why gum disease is linked to dementia. However, the bacteria that lurk in our oral cavities can damage arteries - and arterial damage has been linked to dementia. Incidentally, other studies show that poor oral hygiene can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and low sperm counts!. From the study it is also founded that people with gum disease are likely to suffer from the narrowing of arteries and this will in turn cause high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. The researcher also concluded that "A growing body of evidence supports exploration of a possible association between poor oral health and dementia" .
The bacteria associated with periodontal disease not only damage arteries but also cause inflammation, which has been linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Some scientists speculate that the bacteria enter the bloodstream in the mouth. From there, they activate the immune system. Immune cells attack the foreign invaders, causing inflammation. Over time, this inflammation can damage arterial walls. This type of damage could account for problems with the cardiovascular system as well as dementia. Blood carries nutrients to our organs and carries toxic substances away. When the flow of blood is impeded to a certain organ, then problems begin to arise with that organ. In the case of the brain, these problems may include memory problems or other forms of dementia.
So remember to brush and floss your teeth tonight! Dental irrigation devices work well, too, as they can reach pockets that flossing or brushing alone might not reach. You can also reduce your risk of dementia or even reverse the symptoms of dementia by following a regular routine of dementia prevention exercises. Developed by a natural health expert, these easy exercises focus on increasing blood flow to the brain while improving cardiovascular fitness. A healthy flow of blood to the brain makes for a sharp mind!
The study was recently published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. The researchers tested more than 2,300 men and women for the bacteria that cause periodontitis, or periodontal disease, a severe form of gum disease in which the damaged gums recede so far that teeth become loose. All participants in the study were volunteers aged 60 and above, and they were given several different memory tests.
The three word sequence couldn't be recalled by participants who had very high level of gum disease causing bacteria. The people who had the highest level of bacteria had twice the chance of failing the memory test based on mental arithmetic.
At this time, they are not sure why gum disease is linked to dementia. However, the bacteria that lurk in our oral cavities can damage arteries - and arterial damage has been linked to dementia. Incidentally, other studies show that poor oral hygiene can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and low sperm counts!. From the study it is also founded that people with gum disease are likely to suffer from the narrowing of arteries and this will in turn cause high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. The researcher also concluded that "A growing body of evidence supports exploration of a possible association between poor oral health and dementia" .
The bacteria associated with periodontal disease not only damage arteries but also cause inflammation, which has been linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Some scientists speculate that the bacteria enter the bloodstream in the mouth. From there, they activate the immune system. Immune cells attack the foreign invaders, causing inflammation. Over time, this inflammation can damage arterial walls. This type of damage could account for problems with the cardiovascular system as well as dementia. Blood carries nutrients to our organs and carries toxic substances away. When the flow of blood is impeded to a certain organ, then problems begin to arise with that organ. In the case of the brain, these problems may include memory problems or other forms of dementia.
So remember to brush and floss your teeth tonight! Dental irrigation devices work well, too, as they can reach pockets that flossing or brushing alone might not reach. You can also reduce your risk of dementia or even reverse the symptoms of dementia by following a regular routine of dementia prevention exercises. Developed by a natural health expert, these easy exercises focus on increasing blood flow to the brain while improving cardiovascular fitness. A healthy flow of blood to the brain makes for a sharp mind!
Caroline Wallace DDS
Complete Dental Care
103 South Colorado Street
Salem, Virginia, 24153
540-387-3844
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