Looking after your teeth and gums is one of the best things you can do to age well.
Interesting fact!
Those with a full set of teeth at 74 have a much better chance of living to 100 while those who have lost 5 or more teeth by 65 have a greater risk of diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis.
Did you know?
Our mouths are home to 700 different bacteria many hidden under the gums. They can then spread from here to other tissues via the bloodstream.
A prime target of dental caries in older adults is around the neck of the tooth, adjacent to the gum line. Gum tissue naturally recedes with age, so the soft root tissue becomes exposed. In addition, adults who grew up before the advent of fluoride products and dental sealants often have fillings from childhood and adolescence that eventually break down. Decay around the edges of those fillings is also a problem.
Periodontal disease
Characterised by receding gums, wobbly teeth, and deterioration of the jawbone, periodontal disease is the primary culprit in tooth loss among older adults. It all begins when plaque builds up in the shallow trough between the tooth and the gum. Age isn’t in itself a cause, but periodontal disease often slowly gets worse and goes undetected — and untreated — for decades, leading to more severe problems in the seventh decade of life and beyond. Fortunately, periodontal disease is treatable at any age with a combination of scaling to remove the hardened plaque and infected gum tissue, antibiotics, and in advanced cases with surgery.
Experts now believe that gum disease may well be a trigger for pancreatic cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Gum disease has also been linked to dementia, obesity and even poor sleep!
So a top tip for ageing well is look after your gums and floss regularly.
It has been suggested that oral screening in adults may be just as important as screening for cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Studies also show that those with gum disease scored worse on memory and cognition tests. Another study found that 10 years of chronic gum disease lead to a 70% higher chance of Alzheimer’s.
Top tips for Oral Health
1. Use an electric toothbrush with revs of at least 4000
2. Brush twice a day
3. Use daily an interdental toothbrush or floss or use a waterpik machine
4. Have regular dental check ups and hygienist approx every 6 months.