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Dental Health for Longevity

Health Maintenance · easy · 10-15 min/day

What is Dental Health for Longevity?

The oral-systemic connection is one of the most underappreciated longevity factors. Periodontal disease is associated with 20% higher heart disease risk, increased all-cause mortality, and links to Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Loss of 9+ teeth significantly increases cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Flossing 2-4x/week reduces periodontitis risk by 17%. The mouth is a gateway to systemic inflammation.

Is there evidence for it?

EVIDENCEstrong — poor oral health independently predicts all-cause mortality (Nature Scientific Reports 2021); periodontal disease linked to 20% higher CVD risk; loss of 9+ teeth associated with increased diabetes, CVD, and all-cause mortality

How do you do Dental Health for Longevity?

  1. 1.Brush twice daily for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste; use soft bristles and replace brush every 3 months
  2. 2.Floss or use interdental cleaners at least 3-4 times per week (research shows 2-4x/week is protective); use C-shaped technique, sliding under the gum line
  3. 3.See a dentist every 6 months for professional cleaning and periodontal assessment; treat any gum disease aggressively
  4. 4.Use an antiseptic mouthwash (chlorhexidine for treatment, or CPC-based for maintenance) to reduce oral bacterial load
  5. 5.Consider tongue scraping daily and oil pulling 2-3x/week to reduce oral pathogen burden — oral bacteria directly enter the bloodstream through inflamed gums

How long does it take?

10-15 min/day.

Is it hard to start?

easy.

Source: The Lancet Healthy Longevity 2024; Nature Scientific Reports 2021; PMC11731113
dental · oral-health · cardiovascular · inflammation · longevity · prevention
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This is one entry from the library Shift matches against. It is general information, not advice about you, and nothing on this page came from anyone's conversation.