Is it possible that your morning and evening routines can have a big impact on your health and longevity? According to Harvard Heath, one of the best things you can do for your health as you age, is also one of the simplest: brush your teeth.
According to Dr. Leonard Brennan, co-director of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s Geriatric Fellowship Program, maintaining good dental health both protects against gum disease and also helps us to ward off many other age-related diseases.
Poor dental hygiene can lead to painful gum inflammation and the buildup of harmful bacteria, which in turn can cause serious health issues, such as heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, diabetes, kidney disease and more. It can even increase your risk of some cancers and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Let’s find out how brushing your teeth can potentially help you to live longer.
What happens when you don’t brush your teeth properly
If you don’t take good care of your teeth, bacteria can build up in your mouth, causing tartar to form on your teeth. If this isn’t removed, it can lead to gum decay and gingivitis.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, and consists of gum inflammation caused by plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. You might notice symptoms such as red, swollen and tender gums that can bleed during brushing or flossing.
Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to more serious periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severe gum infection. It is a more advanced stage of gum disease that causes progressive destruction of the soft tissues and bone that support your teeth. Eventually, it can lead to tooth loss.
Symptoms of periodontitis include red or swollen, bleeding gums, receding gums, pus and bad breath. You might also notice loose or moving teeth. Periodontitis starts with gingivitis that hasn’t been treated, so plaque has been able to build up, forming pockets between your teeth and gums.
Bacteria can also enter your bloodstream, and inflammation can spread from your mouth to other parts of your body – increasing your risk of the health problems we’ve already listed.
Keep your mouth (and body) healthy with a four-step daily dental routine
To prevent the need for future, more invasive dental treatment, and reduce your risk of the conditions listed above, it is important to maintain good oral care.
To keep your teeth healthy, experts recommend sticking to this four-step daily dental routine:
- Rinse: Before you brush your teeth, dislodge any loose bits of food by swishing and rinsing your mouth with water.
- Brush: Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Experts recommend using fluoride toothpaste and an electric toothbrush with soft bristles.
- Floss: Floss twice a day if you can, either before or after you brush your teeth.
- Scrape: Another step recommended by the experts is tongue scraping, either using a scraper or a spoon. This is said to eliminate further bacteria.
Some people end their dental routine with a final rinse, either with water or mouthwash, but this isn’t recommended by the NHS as it washes away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste, reducing its preventative effects.
The NHS recommend choosing a different time to use mouthwash if you want to, such as after lunch. Just make sure you don’t eat or drink for 30 minutes after using a fluoride mouthwash.
Three minutes every morning and evening can make a big difference
It’s crazy to think that spending around three minutes every morning and evening can help you keep a beautiful smile, and avoid expensive and painful dental treatments, while reducing your risk of a host of potentially life-shortening conditions.
