Skipping This SKYROCKETS Alzheimer’s risk 21%? (Study)

You eat right… exercise regularly… and maybe even take some brain-boosting supplements like omega-3s.

While not 100% fool-proof, these are all practical, no-frills, and proven steps you can take to lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

But there’s another routine you should add to your day if you want to stack the deck against Alzheimer’s.

The only problem?

Folks tend to get lazy with it… or skip it altogether. And a new study says going down that path can significantly INCREASE your risk of Alzheimer’s.

Today I’ve got the low down on why you need to resist the temptation to skip this routine… and why it could save your brain.

BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY.

You’ve heard that tried-but-true advice since the first time you ever visited the dentist!

And now, it goes way beyond fresh breath as a new international study has found that people who have POOR dental hygiene are 21% MORE LIKELY to develop Alzheimer’s later in life!

That’s frightening… but it shouldn’t be surprising.

Oral health has long been tied to how healthy your heart, lungs, and memory function.

The link?  INFLAMMATION.

You see, failing to regularly brush and floss can lead to gum disease and inflamed gums.
The plaque left behind in your mouth can, over time, lead to chronic inflammation SPREADS to other parts of your body – including your brain.

And the more inflammation there is, the greater your risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.

There are plenty of risk factors when it comes to Alzheimer’s, but this latest study emphasizes the link between good oral hygiene and your brain.

It’s important to keep bacteria OUT of your mouth so it doesn’t colonize into disease-starting inflammation.

Brushing and flossing daily (and going to your dentist every six months) are the best tools at your disposal.

But you can also boost your oral hygiene with the ancient practice of oil pulling. It’s similar to using any common mouthwash – but a bit more methodical.

Oil pulling involves diligently swishing a tablespoon of edible oil (i.e., olive, sesame, or coconut) in your mouth anywhere from five to 20 minutes.

When you swish the oil around your mouth, the harmful bacteria get ‘pulled’ away from the gums and teeth, and dissolved in the oil.

A particular type of mouth bacteria that is difficult to eliminate is Streptococcus mutans – one of the biggest contributors of plaque buildup and tooth decay.

One study found that oil pulling with coconut oil for 10 minutes every day significantly reduced the number of Streptococcus mutans in saliva in as little as TWO WEEKS – compared to swishing with just distilled water.

Another study found that coconut oil was as effective as a standard chlorhexidine mouthwash at reducing Streptococcus mutans.

Talk to your dentist about oil pulling and how to best incorporate it into your oral health routine.

To a healthy mouth and healthy mind,
Sarah Reagan

Sources:

Study Finds. “Brush and floss every day to keep Alzheimer’s disease away, doctors say.” https://studyfinds.org/brushing-teeth-alzheimers-disease/

PubMed.gov. “The Effect of Coconut Oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans Count in Saliva in Comparison with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27084861/