Brushing And Flossing Can Reduce Dementia Risk
The participants of the study are aged above 60 and they were put up to many different memory testes. The study was recently published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. The researcher researched over 2,300 men and women to find out the bacteria that cause periodontitis, or periodontal disease. It is actually a severe form of gum disease, which makes the teeth loose by receding the gum.
The people who had the highest level of bacteria had twice the chance of failing the memory test based on mental arithmetic. The three word sequence couldn’t be recalled by participants who had very high level of gum disease causing bacteria.
“A growing body of evidence supports exploration of a possible association between poor oral health and dementia,” concluded the researchers. 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! Research shows that people with gum disease are more likely to suffer from a narrowing of the arteries, which can cause high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.
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.
The point that is made here is do not forget to brush and floss your teeth regularly and especially at night. There also dental irrigation devices, these devices can reach pockets that cannot be reached by brushing or flossing. By following a regular routine of dementia prevention process you can one can reduce the risk of dementia. These easy exercises increase the blood flow to the brain and improves the cardiovascular fitness too. A sharp mind can be achieved by a healthy flow of blood to the brain.
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