Clean your teeth...and beat Alzheimer’s

 Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease, is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him.Most often,
AD is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age,although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer's is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.

KEEPING your teeth clean could be the key to beating Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research.

Scientists have found that poor dental health and gum disease could trigger the killer brain condition.

Brushing teeth twice a day, plus regularly flossing and checks at the dentist, may protect against developing the devastating form of dementia.

In a new study, the brains of deceased dementia patients were found to contain signs of Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bug responsible for unhealthy gums.

Researchers believe that when the bacteria reach the brain in the bloodstream, they trigger an immune response that can lead to the death of brain cells called neurons.

This process could help drive the changes that are typical of Alzheimer’s disease, causing symptoms of confusion and memory loss.

The team at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) studied 10 brain samples from patients who died with dementia.

They were compared with the same number from non-dementia sufferers.

 
Bacteria could make existing dementia worse

Other studies have suggested that infections, including oral infections, could be linked to Alzheimer’s and there is ongoing research in this area

Dr Simon Ridley, from Alzheimer’s Research UK

Professor StJohn Crean, dean of the university’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, said: “This new research indicates a possible association between gum disease and individuals who may be susceptible to developing Alzheimer’s disease, if exposed to the appropriate trigger.

“Research currently under way at UCLan is playing an active role in exploring this link.

“But it remains to be proven whether poor dental hygiene can lead to dementia in healthy people, which obviously could have significant implications for the population as a whole.

“It is also likely that these bacteria could make the existing disease condition worse.”

Dr Simon Ridley, from Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Other studies have suggested that infections, including oral infections, could be linked to Alzheimer’s and there is ongoing research in this area.

“It will be important for future studies to consider looking back at dental records, to correlate these kinds of observations with the level of oral hygiene during life.