Can the bacteria in your mouth help show if you might have dementia?
New studies suggest that the bacteria on your tongue and gums can affect your brain. This may change how we age and if we get dementia.
Scientists are finding connections between the bacteria in our mouths and the health of our brains.
A study I worked on included 115 adults over 50 years old. Some had healthy brains, while others showed early signs of memory problems.
We found that people with more bacteria called Neisseria and Haemophilus did better on brain tests. They had better memory and can focus better.
Eating vegetables rich in nitrates, like spinach and beetroot, can help grow good bacteria in our mouths.
But some bacteria can hurt brain health. One type, Porphyromonas, is linked to memory problems.
This research suggests that keeping our mouth bacteria healthy may help keep our brains healthy.
It’s very important to brush your teeth, visit the dentist, and eat healthy foods.
Joanna L’Heureux, University of Exeter.
Vocabulary List:
- Dementia /dɪˈmɛnʃə/ (noun): A chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury characterized by memory disorders personality changes and impaired reasoning.
- Bacteria /bækˈtɪəriə/ (noun): Large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms which are typically a few micrometers in length and have various shapes.
- Connections /kəˈnɛkʃənz/ (noun): Relationships or associations between things or people.
- Nitrates /ˈnaɪ.treɪts/ (noun): Salts or esters of nitric acid containing the anion NO3.
- Memory /ˈmɛməri/ (noun): The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.
- Healthy /ˈhɛlθi/ (adjective): Free from injury or disease; conducive to health; healthful.
How much do you know?
What is the main focus of the studies mentioned regarding mouth bacteria and dementia?
What types of bacteria were mentioned to have positive effects on brain tests?
Which type of bacteria was associated with memory problems?
What food type is suggested to help grow good bacteria in the mouth?
What practices are recommended to maintain healthy mouth bacteria?
How many adults were part of the study mentioned?
Eating vegetables rich in nitrates can negatively impact mouth bacteria.
Porphyromonas bacteria have positive effects on memory.
The research suggests a direct relationship between mouth bacteria and brain health.
Regularly visiting the dentist is not important for maintaining healthy mouth bacteria.
Memory problems were only observed in adults over 50 years old in the study.
Eating sugary snacks is recommended for improving brain health according to the studies.
Eating vegetables rich in nitrates can help grow bacteria in our mouths.
One type of bacteria, Porphyromonas, is linked to problems.
It is important to brush your teeth, visit the dentist, and eat foods.
The study included 115 adults over years old.
The bacteria Neisseria and Haemophilus were associated with better performance on tests.
