How to Stop Bad Bacteria in Your Mouth from Migrating to Your Brain?

Just two illnesses have been connected to gum disease: pneumonia and rheumatoid arthritis.

A recent study that was published in the journal Science Advances found that bacteria that are typically found in the mouth can also release toxins that enter the brain. Once there, they might exacerbate Alzheimer's.

Here's what's happening and what you can do to safeguard your health while dentists around the world throw up their hands and exclaim, "Told you to brush twice a day!"

Mouth bacteria 101:

6 billion or more bacteria Inside your mouth are 700 different species of trusted sources. Some encourage health, while others encourage disease.

According to Tara Fourre, research manager for global oral health innovation and microbiology at Johnson & Johnson, "a reasonable estimate of the number of species that are 'bad' is approximately 15 to 20. However, that will continue to change as we learn more about how these species interact with one another."

According to scientists, the oral microbiome, which is what lives in your mouth, is "a complex community with lots of communication between bacteria of the same species as well as across species," according to Fourre.

You can feel them when you need to brush your teeth because they feel slimy.

In addition to your mouth, your tongue, palate, tonsils, and gums all support the growth of oral bacteria. Microorganisms with only one cell can thrive in your mouth. It is consistently humid, has a pH that is fairly neutral and is a comfortable temperature. However, not all of the bacteria in your mouth remain there despite this ideal environment.

Approximately 20 oral species have been linked to illnesses or conditions in other body regions, according to Fourre.

You ingest a lot of bacteria that end up in your digestive tract, but your bloodstream also serves as a practical means of transportation. These germs enter tiny vessels in your gums every time you chew, brush, or floss.

As stated by AsktheDentist.com's founder, Mark Burhenne, DDS, "Teeth are made of the same cell structure as bone." However, they stand out because they are the only part of the body with a bone at the base that penetrates the skin.

Your teeth's bases are shielded by a structure known as biological width.

In a healthy mouth, the immune system prevents infections from occurring by acting as a protective gasket, according to Burhenne.

This seal, however, disintegrates if you have persistent gum disease or other oral infections.

According to Burhenne, oral bacteria that enters the bloodstream have the potential to spread to the brain and other bodily organs.

When mouth germs go rogue:

Porphyromonas gingivalis, also known as Pg, is one organism that is known to have the capacity to harm other parts of the body.

Jan Potempa, Ph.D., DSc, a professor at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, the head of the department of microbiology at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, and a researcher for the study, said: "Pg is full of surprises and deserves far more attention than it gets." "Good microbes are being changed into bad ones by a true gang leader,"

Pg has been connected to several serious health problems, depending on where it ends up in the body, including pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, hepatitis, and esophageal cancer.

The blood-brain barrier, a network of dense cells that shields the brain from harmful substances, can now be crossed, according to research. Pg can lead to pathological changes once there.

Pg was found in the brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients by Potempa and other researchers. But what surprised Potempa the most was that "gingipains, Pg major proteins, were found in the brains at a level much higher than in mentally healthy people of the same age."

The same DNA fingerprint was also found in the brains of mice that were orally infected with Pg, and the changes were similar to those typically observed in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

This finding not only firmly establishes that Pg brain infection may be the cause of Alzheimer's disease, but it also identifies gingipains as significant contributors, according to Potempa.

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Gum warfare:

Potempa and his coworkers examined the COR388 drug's potential to inhibit brain infection and neutralize gingipains in the study.

It prevented the pathology typical of [Alzheimer's disease] from developing in the brains of animals who received it, in addition to lowering the level of Pg DNA, according to Potempa.

Alzheimer's disease clinical trials involving COR388 are currently in phase 1. Other methods to eradicate Pg, such as antibodies that might prevent it from spreading and a potential vaccine, are being tested in separate studies.

Additionally, researchers are working to learn more about "bad" bacteria in general. Johnson & Johnson is attempting to replicate the oral microbiome and all 700 of its species in a lab using donated saliva from its employees.

Meanwhile, "Bacterial migration from one area of the body to another is a normal process. It's impossible to completely stop it, Fourre said. But with better oral hygiene, the number of bacteria that can enter the bloodstream may be decreased.

The mouth contains billions of bacteria, and she stressed the need to keep it on the healthy side of the spectrum.

Here's how to go about it:

Brush and floss:

Do this every time for the full two minutes.

When you brush your teeth, you can avoid the acid attacks brought on by harmful bacteria accumulating in a specific area, according to Burhenne.

Just as crucial is flossing. It assists in removing food particles that would otherwise collect bacteria and contribute to gum inflammation and infection.

Go easy on the mouthwash:

Mouthwash is not suggested by Burhenne as part of a regular dental regimen. It disrupts the oral microbiome too much to support healthy bacterial growth, he claimed.

Burhenne continued, "Compare it to using antibiotics: On occasion, this may be helpful to get rid of the infection, but if you used antibiotics constantly, you'd eventually have no immune system left."

Eat more fruits and vegetables:

Consuming high-fiber foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, slowed the progression of gum disease, according to a Veterans Affairs study of 625 men. More saliva is produced in the mouth as a result of fiber, which helps wash away extra food and neutralize harmful acids.

Rinse with water after meals:

After consuming high-carb meals and snacks, Burhenne advised, "[You're] much better off to rinse your mouth with water and then brush 30 to 45 minutes later." Water acts as a bacterium buffer until you can use a toothbrush.

Be vigilant if you already have a health issue:

According to Burhenne, those who have certain illnesses are more susceptible to oral disease because their immune systems have already been compromised. "Some people find it simple to separate dental or oral issues from other illnesses or diseases, but that's not how the body functions."

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