Healthy molars, healthy mind.
In case oral hygiene is no longer important enough, brushing your teeth could help maintain mental health along with your dental health.
A recent study found a correlation between gum disease and dementia and other brain diseases, the Daily Mail reported. Previous studies had found that bacterial-causing gingivitis can metastasize from the mouth to the brain.
“This is the first study to show an association between the unbalanced bacterial community below the knee and a cerebrospinal fluid biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease in normal large cognitive adults,” explained Dr. Angela Kamer of NYU Dentistry School. She was the author of the smart study published in Alzheimer & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring.
Previous studies had established a link between amyloid protein accumulation in the cerebral arteries and cognitive impairment. However, researchers had not yet been able to pinpoint how this accumulation of amyloid causes the disease, which they now theorize could occur when gum disease prevents the body from removing these intertwined enzymes from the brain.
The researchers attempted to demonstrate the mental-dental well-being connection by taking gum tampons and cerebrospinal fluid samples from 48 healthy volunteers over the age of 65. People in this age group face a high risk of both dementia and gum disease, a precautionary tale for famous millennials averse to dentists.
They then measured the amount of good and bad oral flora and found that individuals with more beneficial oral microbes had lower levels of amyloid. In turn, these people were less likely to contract dementia.
“We found that having tests for cerebral amyloid was associated with an increase in harmful and decreased bacteria,” said Dr. Camera. “Our results show the importance of the general oral microbiome, not only of the role of ‘bad’ bacteria, but also of ‘good’ bacteria, in modulating amyloid levels.”
The next step is to establish clinical trials to determine if deep cleaning of teeth can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
In the meantime, you can reduce “brain plaque” levels by brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a soft bristle brush, according to the American Dental Association.
This is not the first study to link oral hygiene with general health. Researchers have stated that harmful oral pathogens can increase the likelihood of everything from cancer to heart disease and even fatalities from COVID-19.