Brush your teeth to postpone Alzheimer's

The team has determined that gingivitis plays a decisive role in whether a person develops Alzheimer´s or not.

'We discovered DNA-based proof that the bacteria causing gingivitis can move from the mouth to the brain,' says researcher Piotr Mydel at Broegelmanns Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen (UiB).

The bacteria produces a protein that destroys nerve cells in the brain, which in turn leads to loss of memory and ultimately, Alzheimer´s.

Mydel points out that the bacteria is not causing Alzheimer´s alone, but the presence of these bacteria raise the risk for developing the disease substantially and are also implicated in a more rapid progression of the disease. However, the good news is that this study shows that there are some things you can do yourself to slow down Alzheimer´s.