How brushing your teeth could reduce your risk of developing arthritis

Brushing your teeth could reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a study has suggested.

Scientists have pinpointed a bacteria, often found in the mouth, which may trigger the painful joint condition.

A study by the University of Leeds found that people who developed arthritis were more likely to have high levels of this bacteria in their gut in the months leading up to diagnosis.

Experts say the findings could help doctors prevent arthritis from occurring in the first place. This might involve prescribing thorough tooth-brushing or a probiotic – a daily tablet containing 'good' bacteria.

Affecting more than half a million people in the UK, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints because the immune system is mistakenly attacking the body's healthy cells.

While there are a number of effective treatments to manage the symptoms of arthritis, there is no cure.

In the study researchers followed 19 patients who were deemed to have a high-risk of developing the condition.

Only five received a diagnosis during the study, but those who did develop the condition were significantly more likely to have substantial levels of prevotella in their gut – a bacteria which is usually found in the mouth.

Research suggests that many cases of arthritis are due to a 'leaky gut' theory, where harmful bacteria leaves the stomach and enters the bloodstream, setting off the immune system.

Experts will now explore ways to lower the amount of prevotella in these at-risk patients. Solutions include eating a high-fibre diet, which research suggests reduces levels of the bacteria.

'As there is no known cure, at-risk patients often feel a sense of hopelessness, or even avoid getting tested,' says Dr Christopher Rooney, lead researcher on the study at the University of Leeds. 'This new research might give us a major opportunity to act sooner to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.'