Brush and floss for better brain health! |
| Come for the fresh breath…stay for the brain health? Preventing cavities and bad breath are excellent reasons to brush and floss every day, but the benefits of good oral hygiene go even further. Two recent studies report that gum disease may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, researchers found that bacteria that causes a common form of gum disease, P. gingivalis (Pg), can travel to the brain and release enzymes that destroy nerve cells, which eventually can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. While this research may lead to new medications to target the enzymes produced by Pg bacteria, it underscores the importance of staying vigilant about oral hygiene.
In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily, be sure to get regular dental checkups—typically two visits a year and more frequent if you have gum disease. Discuss any symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding, swollen, or receding gums with us at your appointments. We know, too, that there are links between gum disease and heart disease. So clearly, just like getting exercise and eating well, taking good care of your teeth and gums can yield big benefits. We can easily test your mouth for this high risk bacteria then customize a plan to help improve your health. If you are curious or have family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, ask us about the Oral DNA bacteria test. Dr. Sarah Poteet Dallas Functional Dentistry (214) 363-4414 |