Ditch the Prosecco and eat more cauliflower – 11 smile secrets Britain’s top dentists want you to know

Gum disease and tooth decay aren’t pretty and now poor oral hygiene has been linked to Alzheimer’s – but these simple smile hacks you can literally make tonight Most of us brush our teeth daily. But did you know the way you clean your teeth might have an impact on your chance of developing Alzheimer’s? Researchers at the University of Bergen in Norway have discovered a clear link between gum disease (gingivitis) and the brain disease. ‘We discovered DNA-based proof that the bacteria causing gingivitis can move from the mouth to the brain,’ researcher Piotr Mydel at Broegelmanns Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen (UiB), told Science Daily . The bacteria produces a protein that destroys nerve cells in the brain, ultimately leading to a poorer memory and Alzheimer’s. These bacteria aren’t the only cause of Alzheimer’s, says Mydel, but their presence is a clear risk factor. The good news? Good oral hygience can slow down Alzheimer’s and the researchers at Bergen university are developing a drug to block the harmful affects of the bacteria. But rather than get to that point where gum disease is a serious problem, what should we be doing to prevent it? We asked some of Britains top dentists for their tips: Smile secret #1 Follow the two-minute rule If you’re one of those people who falls into bed without brushing your teeth. Or dashes out the door thirty secionds after jumping out of bed. I’m sorry but it’s time to slow down in the bathroom. We should all brush twice a day for two whole minutes, says Dr Mihir Shah, DenTek dentist and Head Dentist at Battersea Park Dental. Two minutes doesn’t sound like long but trust us it’s longer than you think. Shockingly, 1% of adults NEVER brush their […]

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