How brushing your teeth can help prevent Alzheimer’s

For most people, teeth cleaning may just be a normal part of your daily routine. But what if the way you clean your teeth today might affect your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease in years to come?

There is an increasing body of evidence to indicate gum (periodontal) disease could be a plausible risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Some studies even suggest your risk doubles when gum disease persists for 10 or more years. Indeed, a new US study published in Science Advances details how a type of bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis – or P. gingivalis – associated with gum disease has been found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Tests on mice also showed how the bug spread from their mouth to the brain where it destroyed nerve cells.

The report in question was carried out and self-funded by founders of the US pharmaceutical company Cortexyme, which is researching the cause of Alzheimer’s and other degenerative disorders. Scientists from the San Francisco drugs firm will launch a human trial later this year.