More reasons to make sure you brush your teeth regularly

If you don’t already then you should – brush your teeth regularly ladies. My 83 year old monster-in-law has just three bad teeth left at the front of her mouth because she refused to see a dentist throughout her life – how anyone can watch as their teeth rot and fall out one by one is beyond me. My husband has now forced her to see the dentist and she will be spending the next three weeks getting dentures fitted – but she is still protesting would you believe?

But new research has shown that keeping your teeth clean could help your mind to stay sharp into old age, research suggests. Those with poor oral hygiene and swollen, bleeding gums are more likely to suffer memory problems linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. And the worse the condition of their gums, the higher their risks of memory blanks. The study adds to a raft of evidence about the benefits of regular brushing, flossing and visits to the dentist. This could actually explain the state of mind of my husbands mother who is frequently confused.

The researchers, from Columbia University in New York, tested more than 2,300 men and women for bugs that cause periodontitis, in which gums are so diseased that they recede and teeth become loose. The volunteers, who were all aged 60 and over, were also put through a battery of memory tests. The tests posed a problem for up to a fifth of those taking part, with those with bad dental health faring the worst.

It all makes sense to me – now get brushing!

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