Brush Up Your Memory

Forget to floss, and you may soon have trouble recalling names, your grocery list, and the question you were asked five minutes ago. In a study of more than 2,300 men and women age 60 and over, those who scored the lowest on simple arithmetic and memory task - making mistakes similar to patients with early Alzheimer's disease - had gotten most exposure over the years to a particular gum-disease-causing bacteria. (The researcher could tell from blood test.) "When it comes to preventing dementia and other chronic diseases, it may be just as important to brush, floss, and go to the dentist as it is to take your blood pressure medication," says James M. Noble, M.D., of Harlem Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center. If it is that important for seniors to take care of brushing and flossing, how much more important is it for our children to begin taking care of their dental health. Make it a habit of everyone in your family brushing and flossing at least once a day. Twice a day is even better!!