Brush teeth for mental health

Good oral care such as regular brushing, flossing and trips to the dentist, may help aging adults keep their thinking skills intact, according to a US study.

Research has already established an association between poor oral health and heart disease, stroke and diabetes, as well as Alzheimer's disease.

But researchers from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York found gum disease could also influence brain function through several mechanisms, such as causing inflammation throughout the body, a risk factor for loss of mental function.