Poor oral hygiene can result in cavities, periodontal diseases that impact the gums and surrounding tissues, tooth loss and bad breath. But it can impact your brain’s health, too. Research has linked tooth loss and oral bacteria to dementia, explains Dr. Baibing Chen, neurologist at Henry Ford Health. Given these findings, looking after your brain health calls for more than just managing your stress levels, eating a healthy diet and getting restorative sleep. How you tend to other areas of your body can take a bigger toll on your brain than you might expect. Never have I ever: Skipped my oral hygiene routine before bed To protect his brain health and preserve his brain function, Chen says he’d never go a night without flossing and diligently brushing his teeth — or a morning, for that matter. Our mouths are home to hundreds of bacteria, and research has found that one in particular, Porphyromonas gingivalis, responsible for gum disease, was also found in the brains of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Moreover, when researchers found P. gingivalis alongside other bacteria, Campylobacter rectus and Prevotella melaninogenica, study participants’ dementia risk increased. The reason for this is two-fold, experts suspect. First, poor oral hygiene allows for the growth of the bacteria that contributes to gum disease. “Therefore, some of these bacteria can travel to the brain” through the bloodstream, Chen tells TODAY.com. Diet Exercise Aug 12 The No. 1 plant-based protein for better brain health, according to a dietitian Health Wellness May 31 A neurologist reveals her 7 daily habits that reduce her risk of stroke The other reason is inflammation caused by gum disease. “When you have chronic inflammation anywhere in your body, including oral (inflammation) … your body is now sending out inflammatory molecules into your bloodstream, and all of these molecules can find their way into the brain, and then they can cause harm to brain cells,” Chen explains. It’s not only gum disease, however; research found that the more teeth someone was missing increased their risk of cognitive impairment by 48%, and dementia by 28%. The reason for this is unclear, the study’s researchers said. But the National Institute on Aging hypothesizes that difficulty chewing as a result of missing teeth can lead to nutritional deficiencies, chemical imbalances and changes to brain function. And Chen adds that low socioeconomic status is likely also a reason some dementia patients struggle to access dental care and lose teeth. Economic access, research shows, is also linked to dementia risk. What to do instead “I’m not a dentist,” Chen points out, but he follows his dentists’ advice, which is to brush his teeth each morning and night, floss — he likes a water flosser, which is approved by his dentist — and he gets a professional cleaning at this dentist’s office twice a year. Chen recommends visiting a dentist for advice on how to best look after your teeth and gums, and how to reverse possible damage or treat existing oral conditions you might already have. Researchers, Chen says, have found receiving gum treatment can significantly reduce chances of developing dementia. Another study reported that receiving treatment for lost teeth and getting dentures can reduce progression of cognitive decline linked to tooth loss. If you’re not on top of your oral hygiene routine, it’s never too late to start, says Chen. This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: A cardiologist on the No. 1 reason she wouldn’t use electrolyte packets daily The top 2 nutrients to never go without as you age, according to a doctor This 1 type of job has surprising risks for heart health, cardiologist says ...read more read less