Research has found that the bacteria in your mouth could be linked to how your brain functions as you age. A recent study by the University of Exeter suggests that certain types of mouth bacteria may improve memory and focus, while others could increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
The research indicates two methods how bacteria may affect brain health. Firstly, harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream and possibly damage the brain. Second, an imbalance between good and bad bacteria can lower the body’s ability to convert nitrates (found in vegetables) into nitric oxide, a key chemical involved in memory and brain function.
People with higher amounts of the bacteria Neisseria and Haemophilus tend to have better memory and attention. These individuals also had more nitrite in their mouths, which might support brain health.
Conversely, higher levels of Porphyromonas were linked to memory problems. Similarly, people with the Prevotella bacteria often had lower nitrite levels, which could may suggest poorer brain health.
This study involved 110 people over the age of 50, some with normal brain function and others with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition that can lead to dementia. Researchers analysed mouth rinse samples to study the bacteria in each group.
Professor Anne Corbett, a co-author, highlights that this research could lead to new ways to prevent dementia, such as changes in diet, probiotics, better oral hygiene, or other treatments to balance mouth bacteria.
The study is published in PNAS Nexus under the title "Oral microbiome and nitric oxide biomarkers in older people with mild cognitive impairment and APOE4 genotype."
Dr Rakesh Bhula from Griffith Street Family Dental was very interested to read the article and to share it with our patients.
“It is very early days still but it will be exciting to see if in the future researchers can introduce magnified levels of the good bacteria into our mouths to see if it could help to improve cognitive function, and develop a method that could potentially “make us smarter”
If you would like to get more information or book your check-up and clean, please phone reception at Griffith Street Family Dental on 07 5599 4643. You can also book your dental check-up and clean appointment online here.
Griffith Street Family Dental are here to help you to maintain your oral hygiene through the recommended six monthly check up and cleans. We service patients from Northern NSW, Tweed, Tweed Coast, Coolangatta, Kirra, Bilinga, Tugun and surrounding areas. Dr Rakesh Bhula, Dr Selvan Dass and Oral Health Therapist Cheryll Dunn can look after all of you and your families’ dental needs.