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Can looking after teeth and gums protect against dementia?

A person having a dental examination

A person having dental workProfessor Nicola West

Press release issued: 16 January 2024

People with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment are already taking part in research to investigate whether improving oral health can slow memory loss but even more people are needed to help. The MySmile study, led by the University of Bristol, wants to find out if a daily brushing routine could help to protect against dementia.

Dementia affects nearly one million people in the UK - one in eight people over age 65 currently have the condition - and the number is expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2050*. There are many types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia being the most common. But it is still not known what steps, if any, could delay or slow down dementia.

MySmile, led by Nicola West, Professor in Restorative Dentistry at Bristol Dental School, in collaboration with Elizabeth Coulthard, Professor of Cognitive Neurology at Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences (THS) and neurologist at North Bristol NHS Trust, is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). 

The research team believe Alzheimer’s disease might be linked to oral health and certain bacteria found in the mouth (oral bacteria) and that looking after teeth and gums could make a difference.

The team will test the importance of teeth and gums by inviting people with very early changes to their thinking and memory to take part in the study. Participants will be assessed for their oral health, and eligible individuals will be asked to take part in the trial to see if improved dental care and oral hygiene can slow down the progression of dementia.

The study is for people aged 60 and over who have early signs of change – known as mild cognitive impairment – or with diagnosed early-stage Alzheimer’s dementia. The research team believe that these individuals are the most likely to benefit from enhanced dental care and oral hygiene. The challenge, however, is to find people in these early stages, because not everyone with changes in their thinking and memory have a diagnosis and so may not yet be known to their local health care services.

Study volunteers will be invited to attend an assessment of their memory and given a dental check at the Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital, and will be provided with an electric toothbrush. Those with signs of gum disease will be divided into two groups. One group will continue with their usual dental care routine, while the other group will be offered additional dental care right away. The first group will also be offered additional dental care after one year. All study participants will be invited back at a later date for further check-ups and memory assessments.

Professor Nicola West said: "Improving dental hygiene is good for all of us, and cleaning teeth twice a day reduces the oral bacteria in a person’s blood stream.  We want to find out if a daily brushing routine could also help to protect against dementia."

Professor Elizabeth Coulthard added: "We need more people to help us find out whether good dental health also improves brain health.  It is very exciting to think that people could live independently for longer through measures such as improving their oral health."

The research team is keen to hear from people who have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer’s dementia, are over the age of 60 and live in Bristol or the surrounding areas. Recruitment for the study will be open until August 2024.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact the study team research nurse Nikki Hellin, email nikki.hellin@bristol.ac.uk or call 07773 579130.

Further information

* Alzheimer’s Research UK dementia research statistics

About the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:

  • Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
  • Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
  • Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
  • Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
  • Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
  • Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.

NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.

The NIHR is a major funder of global health research and training.

About North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT)
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) runs healthcare services from Southmead Hospital, Cossham Hospital, Bristol Centre for Enablement as well as satellite sites across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. 

As well as providing high-quality healthcare to the local population, NBT is a centre of excellence in the South West and beyond in a range of services and major specialities including neurosciences, orthopaedics and plastic surgery. 

NBT also run the Severn Major Trauma Network caring for the most seriously injured patients from injury to rehabilitation. The Network covers the Severn region and includes 2.3 million adults over 800,000 children. 

NBT remains a leader in health research that aims to answer important clinical questions. We are currently managing £30 million grants awarded to deliver new programmes of research.

Our pioneering treatments and advances in care have won international recognition, placing us at the forefront of medical knowledge.

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