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Day in Health
by Lisa Collier Cool
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Taking great care of your teethwith daily brushing and flossingmay dramatically cut risk for Alzheimers disease, according to surprising new research. British scientists report finding signs of gum-disease bacteria in the brains of Alzheimers patients. The new study adds to a rapidly growing body of evidence strongly linking periodontal (gum) disease to greatly increased risk for the memory-robbing disorder. Byproducts of this bacterium, known as Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis ), were found in brain samples of four out of ten Alzheimers patients, but not in samples from ten people of similar age without dementia, according to the study published in Journal of Alzheimers Disease.
seen in people who already had impaired cognitive function at age 50: gum disease made things get even worse. Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimers Disease
Brush at least twice a day, in the morning and at bedtime. Dr. Bale recommends using an electronic toothbrush for two minutes and fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to brush both the back and front of each tooth, along with your gums and tongue. Floss at least once a day, being sure to wrap the floss around each tooth to remove debris and bacteria. An oral irrigator, such as Waterpik, can also be helpful for cleaning between the teeth. Know the symptoms of gum disease and alert your dentist if you have any of them. The leading warning sign is bleeding when you brush or floss. Others include red, puffy or tender gums, loose teeth, pus between your gums and teeth, and a change in your bite (how your teeth fit together), any of which should warrant a prompt dental checkup. Visit your dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning. Even if you dont have any symptoms of gum disease, the checkup should include measuring the pockets between your teeth, which is done painlessly with a dental probe. In the early stages, gum disease may not cause any obvious symptoms. Avoid smoking, which greatly increases risk for gum disease.