P. gingivalis has been shown that it can migrate from the mouth to the brain. It is also found in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers. But we don't know yet if it is THE cause of Alzheimer's. Which is to say "more research is needed to prove a cause and effect link."<p>This is still fresh science, the ink is still wet. It might ultimately prove that the cause of Alzheimer's is P. gingivalis (which is Nobel Prize levels of incredible). However, this single 2018 study is far from the body of evidence needed to make a claim on causal link.<p>That being said: Please brush and floss. There's no downside. Even if it is unlinked to Alzheimer's you've gained something and lost nothing. You'll thank yourself in the long run either way.<p>PS - I'm not even calling the science here bad (it is not). I am simply saying, this is the start of a marathon and the article is treating it like the end. Ten years ago similar articles on prion-based infections causing Alzheimer's was the hotness, until it wasn't.
This is going to sound like a shill but I have to recommend the new Gum Detoxify toothpaste from Crest and thought I'd share it with other Hacker News readers. It has stannous fluoride and that is supposed to work better and actually kill bacteria around your gums. The reviews for it seemed crazy positive so I thought I would try it and it has been a product that actually does what it says.<p>I have to say, I wake up without morning breath pretty much now, which is insane. And I have been feeling better...<p>Here is a paper comparing stannous fluoride with the traditional type.
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30797255" rel="nofollow">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30797255</a>
"Antimicrobial effects of a stannous fluoride toothpaste in distinct oral microenvironments."
I shared this with a biostatistician friend and he replied:<p>There has been epidemiologic evidence of associations between periodontal disease and several diseases/outcomes, including heart attacks, strokes and (in pregnant women) premature and/or low birthweight babies. Clinical trials of treatments for periodontal disease have thus far not shown any benefit in terms of these outcomes. For example:<p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19701034" rel="nofollow">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19701034</a>
The Research Article: <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau3333" rel="nofollow">https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau3333</a>
Zimbabwean here but live in Canada now. There are numerous older people back in Zimbabwe who probably haven't seen a toothbrush aside from an ad in a newspaper (they are 70+ years of age). No Alzheimer's to speak of its possible this is an anecdote but I don't hear of its prevalence there or other non-north--american countries. But then again those countries don't have as big of a media footprint and research. I still think it's something westerners do (or do not do!) that causes its prevalence here.
A lot of brain diseases are proving difficult to treat due to the “blood-brain barrier”[1]. Could this bacteria be genetically modified to achieve this purpose? If so, the bacteria, when absorbed through the gums could be used benevolently to provide treatment for all sorts of brain diseases.<p>[1]: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood–brain_barrier" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood–brain_barrier</a>
I wish there was some way to compare / visualize where I should be putting my effort on this stuff.<p>Surely I should do better taking care of my gums (flossing...:|), but I also need to improve my diet and exercise, among other things.<p>I'd hate to find out that the things in my life that I do manage to fix turn out to be more difficult and less effectual than other options...
I've always wondered what is the order of importance when it comes to oral hygiene. Brush, paste, duration, technique. Further which is more important, brushing, flossing or a good mouthwash? Is there anything that survives a chlorhexidine rinse?