Can brushing your teeth cut Alzheimer's?

"Brushing teeth twice a day slashes the chance of developing Alzheimer's," so a recent study has suggested.

Experts (although HMHB points out that we are not actually told who) found signs of the bacterium 'Porphyromonas Gingivalis" which causes gum disease and tooth loss, in the brain  tissue, spinal fluid and saliva of dead and living patients.  Tests on mice showed the bug spread from their mouth to brain, where it destroyed nerve cells. But a drug put into their food helped treat the infection and prevented further cell death.

Scientists in San Francisco drug firm Cortesyme, intend on launching human trials (and may already have done so).  They said it was the first time anyone had found solid evidence linking the PG bacterium to the development of the dementia disease. It should be noted that Gum Disease affects nearly half the population.

The British Dental Association said "this study offers a reminder that oral health cannot remain an optional extra in our health service".

HMHB agrees. In our first programs we had a visitor from the local Oral Health Team come down and talk about the links between ill health and clean teeth. It was fascinating. We all need to take personal responsibility to look after the whole of our bodies - including our mouths.