During a recent invited webinar to talk about lifestyle medicine for migraine, I accidentally created the phrase “electronic hygiene” – which has inspired this week’s post!

When it comes to brain health, I can think of 3 types of hygiene that are particularly relevant.

Knowledge comes before motivation for change, so here are 3 facts that may surprise you.

📍Why These 3 Hygienes Matter for Your Brain

Think of hygiene as your daily practices that keep you healthy – just like washing your hands prevents infections.

These three brain-health hygienes work in similar ways, creating protective barriers against cognitive decline and supporting optimal brain function.

📍3 Types of Hygiene That Impact Your Brain Health

🌟1️⃣ Oral Hygiene

Did you know that oral health is directly linked with brain health?

Recent research revealed that oral bacteria don’t just stay in your mouth – they can travel to your gut and influence your brain through what scientists call the “oral-gut-brain axis.”

Harmful oral bacteria and its toxic byproducts have been detected in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, linked with the protein tangles characteristic of the disease.*

The good news? Simple daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups can protect both your mouth and your mind.

🌟2️⃣ Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene refers to the practices that promote consistent, quality sleep.

During sleep, your brain deals with information received during the day, consolidates memories, and clears plaque-forming amyloids and tau proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Think of it as your brain’s nightly maintenance program.

Keeping to a regular sleep schedule benefits the brain because it works with your circadian rhythm – your body’s “master clock”.

Research shows that changes in sleep duration away from the optimal 7-8 hours can accelerate cognitive ageing equivalent to a 4-7 year increase in age.*

Regular sleep and wake times, even on weekends, help your brain perform at its best.

🌟3️⃣ Electronic Hygiene

I made this phrase up, but it highlights an important question – are you aware of when you’re reaching for your electronic device?

Extensive screen time and technology use can heighten attention-deficit symptoms, impair emotional and social intelligence, and interfere with brain development and sleep.

The constant switching between digital tasks trains your brain to expect frequent interruptions, making deep focus more difficult.

Electronic hygiene means being intentional about when and how you use devices, rather than letting them use you.

📍Try This Week:

Choose one of these three hygienes to focus on. Perhaps

[] schedule that overdue dental appointment,

[] set a consistent bedtime, or

[] designate phone-free zones during meals or before sleep.

📍Question for you today

Which hygiene are you happiest with, and which would you like to work on this week?

Wishing you healthy habits in all three areas,

Dr Sui Wong

PS – what do you think about these 3 hygienes? Which of these 3 would you like me to write more about in a future [TT] post? Reply and let me know! 😊

*references: Ferrie et al 2011; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21532949/

Dominy et al 2019 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30746447/

Small et al 2020 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7366948/

Dr Sui Wong

Registered Address: 95 High Street HA8 7DB, United Kingdom. www.drsuiwongmd.com

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