How taking care of your teeth could protect your heart and brain health

Could brushing your teeth support your brain?

How oral wellness whitethorn beryllium linked to bosom and encephalon health 03:59

In caller years, probe has suggested a transportation betwixt oral bacteria and Alzheimer's disease, raising concerns for those with mediocre dental health.

With astir 700 taxon of bacteria inhabiting the quality mouth, experts accidental maintaining bully oral hygiene could payment some bosom and encephalon health.

There is increasing grounds suggesting bully oral wellness could assistance forestall Alzheimer's disease. One survey successful the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that radical who flossed regularly had a little hazard of processing Alzheimer's than those who did not.

However, researchers caution determination is inactive constricted research. The observational studies bash not beryllium that flossing straight prevents Alzheimer's disease.

"When you deliberation astir it, what is mediocre gum health, mediocre dental health? It's truly a bacterial infection," explained Dr. Celine Gounder, CBS News aesculapian contributor. "When you person chronic infection, chronic inflammation, we cognize that chronic inflammation increases your hazard for bosom disease, for cerebrovascular disease, encephalon disease. It's truly important to power these things."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, astir 4 successful 10 U.S. adults 30 years oregon older person immoderate signifier of periodontal disease.

In summation to causing inflammation, the bacteria associated with gum illness nutrient enzymes that tin beryllium straight toxic to nerves, Gounder said. They besides weaken the blood-brain barrier, allowing toxins and different bacteria to participate the brain.

Research shows that these oral bacteria tin summation amyloid successful the encephalon — a macromolecule plaque connected with Alzheimer's disease.

The mouth-to-brain pathway occurs erstwhile bacteria from dental problems participate the bloodstream. 

"When you person gum illness and dental problems, the bacteria successful your rima are getting into the blood, and from the blood, they tin question anywhere, including the bosom and the brain," Gounder said.

This bacterial dispersed isn't a caller concern. Before antibiotics became disposable successful the 1800s, dental infections commonly led to bosom valve infections and bosom nonaccomplishment arsenic bacteria dispersed done the bloodstream.

While h2o picks and mouthwash connection immoderate benefits, Gounder emphasized they aren't capable replacements for flossing.

"Water picks are amended than nothing, but mouthwash is not a substitute ... There is truly nary replacement for thing similar flossing," she said.

The National Institutes of Health identifies respective signs of gum disease, including red, swollen, oregon bleeding gums; symptom portion chewing; persistent atrocious breath; and escaped oregon delicate teeth.

For prevention, the NIH recommends brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste, flossing regularly, visiting the dentist doubly per year, and avoiding smoking.

The proposal is to floss erstwhile daily, preferably earlier bed. However, radical with gingivitis, receding gums, diabetes oregon bosom illness whitethorn payment from flossing astatine slightest doubly daily.

In:
• Health