When I interviewed leading longevity doctor, Dr Sabine Donnai, a few months ago, one thing in particular that she said struck me. When our gums bleed, we have a 13 per cent higher risk of suffering with Alzheimer’s when we get older. It’s a pretty sobering statistic, but it’s a danger that – she said – can be rectified by regular flossing.
Dr Reena Wadia, founder of RW Perio, is a gum health expert, and offers specialist screenings at her clinic on London’s Harley Street. “Your gums are more important than you think,” she explains when I ask her about the link between gum disease and dementia. “There’s now also evidence to suggest links between gum disease and many other inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.”
Almost half of UK adults already have some degree of periodontitis (which is a more serious form of gum disease), and what with our modern obsession with our wellbeing, it seems foolish to neglect our oral health. After all, our mouth is where the digestive process begins, and where we also have a thriving microbiome. As well as bleeding, other warning signs that point to an unhealthy smile include swelling, teeth changing position, a bad taste in the mouth or bad breath, and gaps opening up between the teeth (because there is less bone around each tooth than before).
So what causes it? “The main trigger is the bacteria itself, so home care is key,” explains Dr Wadia. “Good nutrition, living a healthy lifestyle, managing stress levels, exercising and generally making sure you’re looking after yourself, alongside regular dental check-ups and hygienist appointments all play an important part.” It goes without saying that you should also be brushing your teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush, as well as flossing with the correct interdental brushes to clean effectively between the teeth.
“Brushing between your teeth is vital! It’s a bit like only washing one side of a dirty dish and then using it again – you need to clean all surfaces,” says Dr Wadia. “Interdental brushes are ideal, but if they don’t fit then use floss – once a day is key.” She also name checks Airflow, a professional antibacterial treatment which air polishes teeth, leaving them smoother and brighter afterwards. And finally, scrape your tongue! One of the easiest tips to make your mouth feel fresh, Dr Wadia points out that the method (which hails from Ayurvedic medicine) also removes 95 per cent of harmful bacteria in a single scrape.
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