Could dentists be key in getting to the root of dementia?

Hi, I’m Dr Matthew Wright. I am a dentist and researcher working on the MySmile research study in the Bristol Brain Centre.

MySmile is unique in that it is potentially treating two common conditions, gum disease and dementia.  

45% of people in the UK have gum disease. What if treating it could slow, or even prevent, Alzheimer’s disease? 

Prior research has shown the same bacteria that causes gum disease is found in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s. Now, we hope to find out whether keeping teeth and gums clean can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.  

What I love about being involved in the MySmile study is that this area of research offers hope for improved health and a better quality of life.  

MySmile wouldn’t exist if BRACE had not funded the initial pilot study.  

However, funding for this kind of research is scarce, making your support vital.  

Big trials like MySmile depend on pilots, and BRACE is one of the few organisations funding them. Many studies will never get to this stage. 

Each week, participants join us at the Brain Centre, and progress truly is being made.  

Dementia research wouldn’t be where it is today without you. Thank  you to all BRACE supporters for making dementia research possible. 

Please continue supporting BRACE. We’re closer than ever to defeating dementia.  

Dr Matt Wright Signature
Dr Wright

Dr Matthew Wright 

Dentist and Researcher 

Dr Matthew Wright with a patient

£15 could help researchers store and analyse saliva samples from patients. 

A patient is cleaning her teeth and looking in the mirror.

£45 could help fund a specialist computer, increasing accuracy and speeding up research. 

Dr Matthew Wright is talking with a patient.

£85 could help fund the training of the next new dementia researcher like Matthew. 

BEST+LIFE+LOGO

Your donations could be doubled!

Best Life are matching the first £500 of donations. Best Life's mission is to improve the lives of adults after an injury, diagnosis or in their later years, through providing unrivalled independence support, whilst maintaining high standards of social, physical and emotional well-being.

Dr Matthew Wright, Dentist and Researcher 

 

My role in MySmile involves assessing a patient’s oral health, going through tailored oral hygiene instructions, providing gum disease treatment and then reviewing the outcomes. 

Learn more in my free online talk

 

 

Sign up for my free online talk with BRACE, 12.30pm - 1.30pm on  Friday 25th October to find out more about the MySmile research and how to care for your mouth and brain. 

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