Brushing your teeth twice a day is not just good for your oral hygiene, but it could help prevent the onset of dementia. 

This is according to researchers who discovered those who suffered from tooth loss and gum disease experienced shrinkage of the hippocampus in the brain, which can result in cognitive decline. 

Study author Satoshi Yamaguchi from Tohoku University told Newsweek: “Previous studies have shown that chronic peripheral inflammation may increase the risk of dementia and progress hippocampal atrophy, aka brain shrinkage.”

He noted that gum disease is chronic inflammation, which is why it could result in changes to the hippocampus. When it coems to tooth loss, however, the scientist suggested having fewer teeth could reduce chewing stimulation. 

Previous studies have shown that this could lead to brain deterioration, as chewing helps to maintain the hippocampus. 

“Mastication plays an important role in preserving the hippocampus-dependent cognitive function,” a report from 2015 concluded. 

Yamaguchi’s findings could have a big impact on the teeth brushing habits of Brits, as nearly half have irreversible gum disease and between 50 and 90 per cent have some sort of gum inflammation. 

In fact, only 17 per cent of adults had very healthy gums with no gum disease. 

To keep teeth in good condition, it is important to brush twice a day and floss regularly. 

It is also advisable to book an appointment with your dentistl to remove hardened plaque and undergo a deep clean treatment with high-qualty dental products.