READ THIS NEXT: If You Sleep This Way, Your Dementia Risk Soars, Study Warns. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, several interventions can help lower your risk of developing it. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, these include maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, minimizing alcohol intake, and staying socially engaged. Additionally, it’s important to treat any underlying health conditions that may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. “The risk of developing Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia appears to be increased by many conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels,” the Alzheimer’s Association explains. “These include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.” Additionally, there’s one other health condition that often goes overlooked—and which doctors say is linked to higher rates of Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia. READ THIS NEXT: If Your Handwriting Looks Like This, You Could Have Early-Onset Alzheimer’s. Maintaining good oral health by brushing your teeth, flossing, and rinsing can do more than prevent cavities and bad breath: it can also lower your Alzheimer’s risk, experts say. “Gum disease results from infection of the oral tissues holding teeth in place. Bleeding gums, loose teeth, and even tooth loss are the main effects of this disease,” explains the National Institute on Aging. “Bacteria and the inflammatory molecules they make can travel from infections in the mouth through the bloodstream to the brain.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Once this bacteria enters the brain, it releases “enzymes called gingipains that can destroy nerve cells, which in turn can lead to memory loss and eventually Alzheimer’s,” says Harvard Health Publishing. Alzheimer’s is not the only health condition associated with poor oral health and hygiene. “One thing is clear,” says Greg Grillo, DDS, of Express Dentist. “Oral wellness affects us from head to toe and through all stages of life.” In fact, research has established associations between poor oral health and chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, oral cancers, and birthing complications. You can help combat these conditions by brushing and flossing regularly, and by making regular appointments with your dentist. For more health news sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. We tend to think of brushing our teeth as the most important component of oral health, but experts say flossing has an even greater impact. “Brushing only removes plaque from the front and back surfaces of your teeth,” explains Northtowne Dental, an Albuquerque-based dental group. “Flossing, on the other hand, allows you to remove plaque from between your teeth and underneath the gums. These hard-to-reach spots are where the most destructive microbes live.” To make the most of your flossing, be sure to make it a once or twice daily habit. (Here’s how to do it the right way.) American Dental Association experts recommend using 18 inches of floss and gently sliding it between each of your teeth, including your furthest back molars. Brush afterward to remove any food debris from the surface of your teeth, they add. By taking better care of your oral health, you can do more than just improve your smile—you can also help ward off Alzheimer’s and other serious health conditions.
