Oral care is about more than just keeping your teeth happy. Since your mouth is the portal to much of the rest of your body, a healthy set of teeth and gums can have a profound effect on the rest of your health. Indeed, when our Federal Way dentistry clinic is giving you your regular cleaning, we’re not just guarding you from toothaches; we may also be saving you from serious brain problems.
According to a study conducted by the University of Central Lancashire School of Medicine and Dentistry, poor dental health may have a direct link to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In this study, researchers examined samples of brain tissue from ten healthy brains and ten brains that suffered from dementia. In four of the dementia-inflicted brains, they found signs of a specific oral bacteria known to thrive amid gum disease.
More research is needed at this point. In particular, scientists are asking the question of whether poor dental health can lead to brain disorders in healthy people, or whether it simply aggravates an existing disorder. Until such a time, though, it remains a good bet that you should keep your teeth clean for the sake of your brain.
