How your MOUTH can predict your risk of dementia

Your dentist has probably nagged you a million times to floss. But have they ever told you it could save your life? Keeping your mouth healthy reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, and studies have shown these issues are linked to stroke, diabetes, heart disease and dementia. 9 From dementia to diabetes, experts reveal how keeping your teeth and gums super-clean is the secret to warding off disease.

Credit: Getty Now, scientists are starting to understand why – by looking at the oral microbiome. It’s the second most diverse community of microbes in the body, after your gut, with more than 700 species of bacteria. A balanced microbiome is the result of good oral hygiene.

“Imbalances between the good and bad bacteria can lead to oral health issues, such as cavities or gum disease, and may contribute to conditions such as heart disease or diabetes,” says Dr Sonia Rajput, general and cosmetic dentist at The London Smile Clinic. READ MORE HEALTH NEWS OPEN WIDE 10 things your TEETH can reveal about your health from silent killers to dementia OPEN WIDE From ulcers to gums - what your mouth says about your health & when to worry A new test called Oralis 1 claims to be able to predict your risk of illness, by taking a sample of your saliva. At £350, it’s not cheap, though, so we asked the experts how you can improve your oral microbiome for less.

Oral health Your oral microbiome is affected by everything it comes into contact with. “That includes eating, drinking, smoking and even kissing,” says Dr Smita Mehra, principal dentist at The Neem Tree Dental Practices. Most read in Health 'ROCK BOTTOM' I planned my suicide while watching my daughter at her school sports day GENDER GAP Best ways to slim down, sleep and gain muscle - it’s different for men and women EARLY CLUES I blamed heartburn on pizza and wine before crashing my car during 'widowmaker' PILL ON THE POUNDS Tots given common drug 'have 20% higher risk of obesity by school' 9 Your oral microbiome is affected by everything it comes into contact with - and that includes kissing Credit: Getty Medications, age and hormonal changes can have an impact, too, either directly or by changing saliva production.

“Saliva is important in providing optimal conditions for the oral microbiome,” says Dr Safa Al-Naher, dentist and founder of Serene Dental in Knightsbridge, London. What your teeth can reveal about your health “It balances the pH, provides enzymes and has antimicrobials for fighting disease.” "When it comes to mouthwash, use it for conditions like ulcers or gum disease.

“But I wouldn’t really use it unless your dentist has said you need to,” says Dr Al-Naher. “A lot of mouthwashes have high alcohol levels, which can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your mouth.” What’s The Damage? A healthy oral microbiome is the body’s first line of defence against infection.

“It creates a barrier that lowers the risk of disease-causing organisms from entering the digestive system and bloodstream,” says Dr Mehra. 9 Flossing regularly may lower stroke risk by up to 44%, says the University of South Carolina Credit: Getty “So, when the microbiome is out of balance, there’s a greater risk of infectious diseases.” Think colds, flu, even meningitis.

For years, the theory has been that inflammation is the driving force between oral health and serious conditions like stroke and dementia. In January, Japanese researchers found higher levels of the bacteria streptococcus anginosus — commonly found in the mouth and gut — among stroke victims, highlighting the “importance of preventing tooth decay”. Around the same time, the University of South Carolina declared flossing “easy and affordable”, after finding people who flossed regularly had up to a 44% lower risk of stroke .

“If oral hygiene becomes poorly taken care of, harmful bacteria can invade the tissue in the mouth and trigger inflammatory chemicals to be released in the body,” explains Dr Mehra. Some common bacteria (P gingivalis and F nucleatum) have been linked to cancer, and while most of us have them in our mouth, under circumstances such as poor oral hygiene, they may become harmful. The warning signs Your dentist will help you spot gum disease, cavities, excessive tartar and plaque in the mouth.

You might also notice a dry mouth, infections, mouth sores, a metallic taste, tooth sensitivity and pain. 9 Regular mouth ulcers may be a warning sign that something is amiss with your microbiome Credit: Getty “You may find that you experience issues such as bad breath, increased mouth ulcers and other soft tissue infections,” adds Dr Mehra. On the flip side, Dr Rajput says: “If you have a healthy microbiome, you will have pink , firm gums, clean teeth and fresh breath.

” I TOOK THE TEST Health writer Lucy, 34, took the Oralis 1 oral microbiome test, £350 from ths labs. these were HER results. .

. “To find out what harmful bacteria might be living in my mouth, I sent a sample of my saliva to the lab, and four weeks later, my results were in. The good news is, I have average levels of good bacteria and ‘no concerning genetic mutations’.

But I do have P gingivalis, a virulent strain of oral bacteria linked to Alzheimer’s disease. It’s in low levels and I would be shocked if I started showing signs of dementia at just 34. I also have high levels of F nucleatum, linked to gum disease, heart disease and colorectal cancer.

As well as a stark reminder of the importance of brushing, flossing and limiting my sugar intake, I’m advised to drink green tea and take Dr Heff’s Remarkables, £9.95, a dental supplement containing green tea, which can lower levels of bacteria. I was also recommended bee propolis, a natural bee product, to lower levels of P gingivalis.

While the test might come with an eye-watering price tag, it looks for hundreds of bacteria and gives personalised advice, which can be a wake-up call, unhealthy microbiome or not.” Non-negotiables for a healthy oral microbiome 9 One expert says the best thing you can do is attend dental check-ups every six months Credit: Getty Show your mouth plenty of love with these simple lifestyle tricks. Stay on top of check-ups “The most significant thing that people can do is to attend regular dental appointments ,” says Dr Al-Naher.

Every six months is recommended. Brush and floss Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, and floss once a day (before brushing) to remove food particles and plaque between teeth. Limit stress Chronic stress can cause problems such as dry mouth and inflammation, which can negatively affect your oral microbiome.

“Take proactive steps to manage any stress problems by trying mindfulness, yoga or regular exercise,” recommends Dr Mehra. 9 Smoking fuels 17% of UK mouth cancers and cuts saliva needed to fight bacteria, experts warn - so it's time to quit Credit: Getty Stop smoking Tobacco does nothing for your teeth or mouth health. It is the cause of around 17% of mouth cancers in the UK, according to Cancer Research.

“Smoking also decreases saliva production, which is essential for washing away bacteria and healing damaged tissues in the mouth,” says Dr Mehra. Watch your diet “Diets rich in fibre, fruit and vegetables help promote the growth of healthy bacteria and encourage saliva production,” explains Dr Mehra. High-sugar foods do the opposite.

“Drink plenty of water to help wash away food particles and keep saliva production optimal,” says Dr Rajput. Check your meds Antibiotics can kill beneficial bugs while wiping out the bad in both your gut and mouth. “Medications, such as antidepressants and antihistamines, can cause a dry mouth, which can exacerbate microbial imbalances,” says Dr Mehra.

Read more on the Scottish Sun TRAGIC LOSS Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre dies by suicide after troubling posts SHOTS FIRED Snooker star hits back at Stephen Hendry's legacy claims ahead of world champs Ask your dentist for advice. Your healthy mouth kit Spotlight Oral Care Sonic Electric Toothbrush, £110, Boots 9 This gentle electric toothbrush is good for those with sensitive gums. It deep-cleans, with oxygen blasting the tiny cracks you can’t get to Regenerate Enamel Science Advanced Toothpaste, £10.

50 9 'This is the first toothpaste that’s able to reverse tooth decay,' Dr Al-Naher says. 'It reduces sensitivity and improves your teeth colour' Humble Corn Starch Floss Picks Mint, £3.99, Holland & Barrett 9 Dig deep with eco-friendly sticks that leave behind a minty taste Stockists: Boots (Boots.

com), Dr Heff’s (Drheffs.com), Holland & Barrett (Hollandandbarrett.com), Regenerate Enamel Science ( Regeneratenr5.

co.uk ), THS Labs ( Thslabs.co.

uk ).