Doctor Amir Khan says you can reduce the risk of dementia by making a simple change to how you clean your teeth. It’s expert advice that may be well worth listening to
07:25, 08 Apr 2026Updated 07:25, 08 Apr 2026
Doctor Amir Khan said it could slash the risk of dementia (stock image)(Image: ITV screengrab )
Dementia is an illness that impacts many people around the world, and there are all sorts of signs you can look out for to try and spot it. However, little you may know, expert advice suggests making a simple change to how you brush your teeth can actually slash the risk of dementia.
One person who recently highlighted this is TV doctor Amir Khan, who is known for sharing all sorts of health advice with his followers. Previously, he spoke about the interesting fact when talking with Cherry Healey on the No Appointment Necessary Podcast, and his simple tip took many by surprise.
It’s not the only advice of its kind to be shared recently either. Previously, it was revealed diet could also have a big impact on the chances of developing the illness.
Dr Amir said: “Hearing loss in mid-life has been associated with an up to four times increased risk of developing dementia. When you’ve got hearing loss – whether that’s partial or full – what your brain does is divert energy to that part of your brain, so you can focus a lot on the hearing.
“That comes at the expense of other parts of your brain. So, over time, that increases your risk of dementia.”
Cherry then asked the expert if flossing can prevent dementia, and he replied: “It doesn’t prevent it. It reduces the risk.
“It’s incredible. So, if you’ve got poor oral health and gum disease, bacteria can get in there and bacteria can go form your gums, through your blood, up until your brain.
“That again triggers an immune response and chronic inflammation too. If people looked at how much they were moving, how well they were sleeping, what food they were eating and got their eyes and ears checked on a regular basis, they can reduce their risk of dementia by 60%.”
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So, it turns out making sure you floss could make a big difference to your overall health. Little you may know, it could even reduce your risk of developing dementia in the future.
What you need to know
Studies have suggested that regular flossing may reduce the risk of dementia by working to tackle gum disease and oral bacteria. One study has uncovered that flossing as little as once a week could slash the risk of incident dementia by 10% to 12%.
Meanwhile, another review suggested that individuals with poor dental hygiene are 21% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. There are a few reasons why this may be the case.
To begin, gum disease triggers systemic inflammation, which can travel through the bloodstream and lead to neuroinflammation and neuronal damage in the brain. As well as this, oral bacteria such as porphyromonas gingivalis is able to move from the mouth to the brain.
Here they release toxins that have the potential to destroy nerve cells and contribute to Alzheimer’s-type brain changes. Maintaining good oral hygiene promotes better vascular health, and this is essential for maintaining optimal blood flow to the brain.
Experts generally recommend people to floss once daily, preferably before bed. This will help to remove plaque and bacteria from areas that toothbrushes cannot reach.
If you’re concerned about your oral health, contact your dentist for advice. Meanwhile, your GP is the best place to go for any health-related queries.