WE'VE long been told that brushing our teeth twice a day helps prevent tooth decay.

But over the years, researchers have discovered that keeping our gnashers in tip-top condition could also help us live longer.

Gum diseases are among the most common chronic human diseases, affecting between 20 to 50 per cent of people worldwide.

The disease, which in its early stages is called gingivitis, is fully curable with some regular flossing.

Gum disease can progress to tooth loss if not treated.

A growing body of evidence shows that gum disease can also make people more likely to develop other serious health conditions.

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Doctor Christine Bryson, a medical lecturer from Anglia Ruskin University, explains in the Conversation a few of the common killer health conditions linked to gum disease.

1. Alzheimer’s disease

"Several large studies have found that moderate or severe gum disease is significantly associated with dementia," Doctor Christine said.

Dementia is an umbrella terms, used to describe the deterioration of a person's mental ability.

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There are many different types of the debilitating conditions – one of the most common forms is Alzheimer's.

Finnish researchers discovered that people suffering with gum disease and tooth loss were roughly a fifth more likely to be struck down with the cruel condition.

Research has also shown a link between gum disease and a sixfold decline in cognitive ability.

"Initially, it was thought bacteria were directly responsible for this link," the expert said.

"P. gingivalis, bacteria common in chronic gum disease, was found in the brains of people who had died of Alzheimer’s disease," Christine explained.

"Toxic bacterial enzymes called gingipains were also found, which are thought to worsen gum disease by preventing the immune response from turning off and hence prolonging inflammation," she added.

Gingivitis can cause dusky red, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily – especially when you brush your teeth.

"However, it’s not certain whether bacteria in the brain, a modified immune response or other factors – such as damage from systemic inflammation – explain the link," she said.

"But taking care of your oral health could be one way to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease," she added.

Other researchers have suggested the link could actually be happening because people who have dementia forget to brush their teeth in the early stages of the disease.

There are currently 944,000 people with dementia in the UK, more than ever before, and this number is projected to increase, says Alzheimer's Research UK.

The debilitating disease causes a gradual loss of memory and other cognitive functions such as confusion and losing sense of humour.

2. Cardiovascular disease

"Cardiovascular disease is also firmly associated with gum disease," the expert said.

In a large study of over 1,600 people aged over 60, gum disease was linked with an almost 30 per cent higher risk of first heart attack.

This link even persisted after researchers adjusted for other conditions (such as diabetes and asthma) and lifestyle habits (such as smoking status, education and marriage) that are known to increase a person’s risk of heart attack.

"More recently, studies have also shown that inflammation caused by chronic gum disease causes the body’s stem cells to produce a hyper-responsive group of neutrophils – a type of early defence white blood cell," she added.

"These cells may damage the lining of arteries by damaging the cells that line the arteries – triggering the build-up of plaques," she explained.

Heart and circulatory diseases cause a quarter of all deaths in the UK -that’s more than 160,000 deaths each year.

According to the British Heart Foundation, there are around 7.6 million people living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK.

3. Type 2 diabetes

Gum disease is a known complication of type 2 diabetes, and chronic gum disease increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

"The processes that link the two diseases are the focus of much research, and it’s likely that inflammation caused by each condition affects the other," Christine said.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Many people do not realise they have gum disease because it may have no symptoms, which highlights the importance of regular trips to the dentist.

The early symptoms  are:

• Red and swollen gums
• Bleeding gums

Untreated, this could lead to periodontitis, which causes:

• Bad breath
• An unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Loose teeth that makes eating difficult
• Collections of pus under the gums or teeth

"Gum disease has also been shown to contribute to insulin resistance – which can exacerbate type 2 diabetes," she added.

Some 4.9 million people in the UK are estimated to have diabetes, of which 90 per cent have type 2.

The serious condition, driven by soaring obesity levels, raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes among other complications.

4. Cancers

Gum disease is also linked to a greater risk of developing many types of cancer.

"For instance, patients who reported having a history of gum disease were shown to have a 43 per cent greater risk of oesophagal cancer, and a 52 per cent greater risk of stomach cancer," Christine said.

Other research has also reported people with chronic gum disease had a 14-20 per cent higher risk of developing any type of cancer.

The same study also showed a 54 per cent higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

"It’s not clear why this relationship exists," she said.

"Some think it has to do with inflammation, which is a factor in both gum disease and cancer.

"Inflammation disrupts the environment that cells need to stay healthy and function properly and is a factor in the progression of both gum disease and tumour growth," she explained.

How can I improve my gum health?

Gum disease is preventable and reversible in the early stages.

According to Christine, while some risk factors for gum disease can’t be changed – such as your genetics – you can change your lifestyle to reduce your overall risk.

"Eating less sugar, avoiding tobacco and alcohol and reducing stress can all help," she explained.

Interestingly, some medications – such as some antidepressants and hypertension drugs – may lower saliva production, which can increase your risk of gum disease.

"People taking these medicines need to take extra precautions, such as using special gels or sprays to increase saliva production, or making sure to take extra care while brushing their teeth," she said.

Of course, the most important things you can do to protect yourself from gum disease are brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and avoiding using mouthwash after brushing.

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"You must also take care not to rinse after brushing to allow the fluoride to remain on your teeth," said Christine.

"Interdental cleaning at home (such as flossing) and regular dental visits will also help you keep your oral health in check," she added.

The 4 mistakes you’re probably making while brushing your teeth

Although we do it twice a day (or should be!), most of us haven’t perfected teeth-brushing.

1. Falling short of two minutes

Everyone knows you should be brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, with the addition of flossing.

If you want to go the extra mile, mouthwash once a day is a bonus

2. Dirty tongue

The tongue is covered in tiny bumps called papillae. Bacteria and food can get trapped between them, which gives the appearance of a white or furry tongue.

This build-up, unsurprisingly, can cause bad breath.

3. Brushing too hard

When brushing your teeth, focus on the motion rather than the pressure. 

The proper brushing technique is to use small circle motions on top, behind and in front of teeth. Don’t forget to brush the gums too.

Damage to the enamel can lead to teeth sensitivity, dental deyal and tooth discolouration.

4. Not changing the brush

Ideally, you should be changing your brush every two months.

It’s unhygienic and in most cases manual toothbrushes lose their effectiveness after a certain amount of time.

If the bristles flare out and have lost their shape, this is a telltale sign that it’s time to make a new purchase.

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