Good oral hygiene not only protects your smile: it could also be key to keeping your brain healthy.
According to an article published in The Conversation, Bacteria that accumulate on teeth and gums can travel through the body and have consequences on organs as different as the heart or the brain.even increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
When we talk about oral health, we usually think of white teeth and firm gums. However, maintaining a healthy mouth is much more than an aesthetic issue.
The accumulation of bacterial plaque can cause chronic inflammation – such as periodontitis – which, if left untreated, has systemic effects.
The data cited by The Conversation is compelling: A person with untreated periodontitis is 2.5 times more likely to suffer a stroke and almost three times more likely to suffer from heart disease. compared to those who maintain good oral hygiene.
Alzheimer’s, which represents between 60% and 70% of dementia cases in the world, affects more than 57 million people.
Although its exact cause is not yet known, science points to a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. In this last group, gum care begins to gain prominence.
Bacteria from the mouth that reach the brain
The mouth is home to enormous microbial diversity: some 770 species of bacteria coexist in balance as part of the oral microbiota.
But if this balance is broken – due to poor hygiene or other reasons – bacteria grow uncontrollably and can generate inflammation that goes beyond the mouth.
Among them stands out Porphyromonas gingivalisa bacteria associated with periodontal disease.
As explained The Conversationits toxins and the inflammatory molecules released by the immune system when fighting it can reach the bloodstream and reach the brain.
There they could contribute to inflammatory processes and the development or progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
In animals, prolonged exposure to toxins P. gingivalis It has generated neuroinflammation, accumulation of beta-amyloid protein – one of the main signs of Alzheimer’s – and memory deterioration.
In humans, the evidence is also striking: Up to seven times more oral bacteria have been detected in the brains of people who died with Alzheimer’scompared to those who did not suffer from the disease.
Take care of your mouth and mind
Therefore, dedicating a few minutes a day to oral hygiene may be more important than it seems.
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly not only help prevent cavities or maintain a healthy smile: they may also protect brain health in the long term.
