Brushing helps to prevent dementia and heart disease

A new study suggests brushing your teeth daily as that not doing so can trigger dementia and heart disease. The study shows that 89 per cent of people believe that bad teeth contribute towards somebody’s age, with 40 per cent admitting that they had never considered how their smile could be affecting their appearance.

This week BBC is planning to air the first of a two part series examining Britain's oral hygiene examining people's attitudes toward taking care of their teeth.

The documentary also shows that those with chronic inflammation can lead to damage of the circulation system and vital organs, with research showing that bad gums can be linked to the development of illnesses including heart disease and Alzheimer's.

Many people believe that teeth become brittle over time. The researchers showed that instead, tiny flaws build up on our teeth which, along with erosion of enamels and gum recession, contribute to a build up of bacteria.

Mervyn Druian, a leading dentist, said that when he examines a patient’s mouth he is looking for key factors that both indicate the overall health and assess the wear and tear, the aging, of the mouth.  “Gums that are red looking and inflamed of have pockets, greying teeth that may be showing signs of small cracks, decay or abrasion are all warning signs that your mouth may be aging faster than it should” he added.

By Lizitha