“Toothbrush” Trick DODGES Dementia

The number of people already living with Alzheimer’s is staggering.

In America ALONE, 6.7 million folks over 65 are battling this devastating disease.

And without a cure in sight and no effective treatments on the market, it will only get worse. In fact, experts are already predicting cases will skyrocket in the coming years as the population ages.

The trouble is, Alzheimer’s is a poorly understood disease. And chances are there isn’t a single cause… but rather MANY.

But that ALSO means there are a variety of things we can do to dial down our risk of a diagnosis.

Some of those you’re likely already aware of, such as improving your diet and making exercise a part of your daily routine.

But recent research confirmed a strange HIDDEN Alzheimer’s risk factor that’s been lurking right under our noses this whole time… LITERALLY.

Researchers say the health of your MOUTH can play a role in your Alzheimer’s risk.

And this isn’t even the first time we’ve seen this link. Earlier studies have highlighted a link between dementia and gum disease.

The animal study, published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience this past year, concluded that a common cause of periodontal disease is ALSO linked to Alzheimer’s.

The bacterium in question is F. nucleatum. This ugly bug…

• triggers body-wide inflammation that includes the nervous system.
• leads to the overproduction of microglial cells

Ironically, the presence of microglial cells is usually a GOOD thing. They serve as a sort of clean-up crew, sweeping away damaged neurons and supporting the health of the nervous system.

But as with most things in life, too MUCH of a good thing inevitably turns bad.

And that’s exactly what the researchers saw happen. The overproduction of microglial cells dialed UP the chronic inflammation that we know is linked to Alzheimer’s.

As a result, thinking and memory skills plummeted in the mice.

Now, we’re FAR from figuring out this Alzheimer’s puzzle. But this research adds to our growing understanding of the link between gum disease and dementia.

Plus, it ALSO provides us with another simple step to potentially lower our OWN risk.

If you aren’t already taking good care of your chompers, it’s time to start. Brush your teeth after every meal, and remember to floss!

Flossing prevents plaque buildup, which is teeming with gum-disease-triggering bacteria such as F. nucleatum. And remember to visit the dentist regularly to head off gum disease (and possibly Alzheimer’s) BEFORE it starts.

P.S. Regular brushing doesn’t JUST dial down Alzheimer’s risk. It could also help protect you against cancer. A study found that having bad bacteria in your mouth can cause cancer to spread to other parts of your body. CLICK HERE for the scoop.

SOURCE:

“The Periodontal Pathogen Fusobacterium nucleatum Exacerbates Alzheimer’s Pathogenesis via Specific Pathways,” Front. Aging Neurosci., 23 June 2022, Sec. Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, Volume 14 – 2022, doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.912709