As we get older, we start to get concerned about increasing ‘senior moments’. Now, a new study shows that good dental care, proper daily flossing, and excellent cleanings by your hygienist can help keep your thinking capabilities at an optimum level. That’s because if your oral care is neglected, cavities, and especially gum disease can lower your cognitive skills by virtue of those nasty gum disease bacteria residing in your mouth. New research has shown that the most common culprit in gum disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis, were found to be at far higher levels in those with memory loss, cognitive skills, and Alzheimer’s.
So how does this nasty bacteria cause memory-loss and other related mind diminishing skills? Quite simply, it accelerates inflammation throughout the body. That directly or indirectly affects the neurons in our brain in a bad way.
So many people I know who are great at keeping their body fat minimized, and cardio-vascular system optimized by daily workouts at the gym, unfortunately may neglect the health of their oral cavity. Remember, its not just seeing the dentist when things hurt, but maintaining a constant vigilance against teeth problems and gum disease- on a daily basis.
So be preventative. Make sure you follow through on those 2-4 times a year oral exams by the dentist, and those dental cleanings and gum disease checks by your hygienist. They are just as important as having those religious gym workouts for the rest of your body!
Your mind will thank you.
Edward M. Reifman, DDS
www.encinosmiledr.com
818.990.6659
