98 Don’t Forget to Floss to Preserve Your Health
One in three adults over age thirty and at least half of all noninstitutionalized people over fifty-five have severe gum disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. This serious bacterial infection increases your risk of losing your teeth and needing dentures. Not only can that make you look older than your years, but recent studies suggest that poor oral health, and particularly gum disease, can age your whole body. However, keeping your gums and teeth in tip-top shape can potentially protect you from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and even cognitive decline as you get older.
Researchers aren’t sure why or how oral health affects the rest of your body, but early evidence indicates the bacteria that cause gum disease also cause chronic inflammation. In addition, the bacteria buildup (or plaque) can enter the bloodstream and release toxins throughout the body. People with high levels of plaque buildup are three to four times more likely to have potentially harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream after brushing their teeth or having a tooth pulled, according to a 2009 study in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The risk is even higher if your gums bleed during brushing (common with gingivitis and other gum disease).
A good deal of the research on the link between oral health and other conditions has focused on heart disease, and because of an increasingly clear connection, periodontal (gum) disease is now considered a risk factor. Whether poor oral health causes or accelerates heart disease or simply shows up at the same time is still up for debate, but several studies link gum disease to increased odds of having a heart attack. Additionally, a 2007 study in the Journal of Periodontology found that patients with chronic severe gum disease had higher levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (
49). Chronic inflammation ages your arteries and increases your chances of heart problems. Oral bacteria in the bloodstream also may lead to thickened arteries (a predictor of stroke and heart attack) and other heart conditions and contribute to the formation of blood clots. However, it’s unclear if treating chronic gum infections such as gingivitis (the milder form of gum disease) and periodontitis (the more severe form) can reduce your risk of heart disease. A promising 2007 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that intensively treating periodontitis improved patients’ oral health and their blood vessel function, but more research is needed. Until we know more, experts agree it’s smart to protect your smile—and potentially your health—with good oral hygiene habits.
Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy for Life
A 2008 New York University study showed that daily brushing and flossing reduced the amount of gum disease–causing bacteria in the mouth after just two weeks. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes at a time. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles start fraying. You should also floss at least once daily (if you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend flossing more frequently). If arthritis or other conditions make flossing difficult, ask your dentist about interdental cleaners that are easier to maneuver.
Other steps you can take include limiting sweets and avoiding all forms of tobacco. Bacteria thrive on carbohydrates, and eating sugary foods can speed up bacteria growth and dissolve tooth enamel. And smoking may be responsible for nearly 75 percent of periodontal diseases among adults, notes the ADA. But ten years after quitting, your risk of gum disease is the same as that of nonsmokers.
Overcome Challenges to Good Oral Health
You may need to put forth a little more effort to maintain a healthy smile as you get older because several age-related illnesses and conditions such as diabetes, stroke, cancer, heart disease, and menopause can aggravate oral health problems. Older adults are also more likely to take one or more of the several hundred prescription medications that have oral side effects such as dry mouth, which raises your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Tell your dentist about all the prescription and over-the-counter drugs you’re taking to help your dentist decide if you need to change your oral hygiene routine or come in for extra cleanings to maintain your pearly whites and protect your health.
