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How Proper Oral Hygiene is Essential to Aging Gracefully

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If you didn’t know, poor oral hygiene can lead to several adverse health problems as you age, including gum disease and tooth decay. To keep your smile healthy and radiant throughout the years, you can’t replace good oral hygiene habits that start at a young age. Not only is it important for your health, but proper oral hygiene can also help you age gracefully and look your best as you get older.

Here are five ways that proper oral hygiene can help you age gracefully:

Minimizes the Risk of Gum Disease

Gum disease is a widespread chronic infection in humans. It affects over half of all Americans over the age of thirty. This condition can be caused by poor oral hygiene practices, such as not brushing your teeth regularly or flossing every day. However, if you brush at least twice a day – using fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrushes – you can significantly reduce your risk of developing gum problems.

Protects Your Teeth from Tooth Decay

Another common dental problem often caused by poor oral hygiene is tooth decay. This occurs when plaque, a sticky film made up of bacteria and sugar, adheres to the surface of your teeth. These bacteria can start growing if you don’t brush or floss regularly. They will harm the enamel on your teeth when they grow, causing cavities and other problems. However, brushing thoroughly twice a day (at least every 12 hours) with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily will prevent tooth decay and keep your smile looking healthy for years to come.

Promotes Overall Health and Wellness

Aside from the apparent health benefits of good oral hygiene, practicing proper techniques can also help you stay healthy in other ways. For example, brushing and flossing regularly can improve your overall immune function and even help prevent certain types of cancer. Furthermore, taking care of your teeth and gums can also reduce inflammation throughout your body – a common cause of many chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.

Maintains Confidence and Self-Esteem

As you get older, it’s normal to become more self-conscious about your appearance. Therefore, taking care to practice good oral hygiene habits is essential. Good hygiene will keep you looking as good as you can look. In addition, by maintaining a bright and beautiful smile, your confidence will be boosted. It’s always nice to feel confident no matter what age you are.

Helps You Look Younger

In addition to preventing negative physical side effects, good oral hygiene has also been shown to help people look younger as they age. For example, brushing your teeth daily removes bacteria from the surface of your teeth, making them appear whiter and brighter over time. Furthermore, maintaining healthy teeth and gums promotes a youthful-looking smile that will give you confidence wherever you go.

Conclusion

As you can see, practicing good oral hygiene is an essential part of aging gracefully. Taking care of your mouth and keeping it healthy throughout the years can minimize the risk of common health problems like gum disease or tooth decay – and look your best no matter what age you are. So be sure to brush twice a day, floss, and visit your dentist for regular check-ups. Your future self will thank you.

And…

I have mentioned in previous blog challenges that I was writing a novel. I have actually finished it but I am not launching it until this summer. In the meantime, I wrote a prequel novella that is available for free on my author website, authordwbrooks.com. It’s a fiction story about a woman who has it all in front of her — a surgeon fiance, a great job, and life perfectly mapped out. But she’s not happy…

The main character here is the main character in my novel. It may not be for everyone but I am pretty excited! Check it out!







Loving Life — The Reboot!

Dominique

This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.

How Proper Oral Hygiene is Essential to Aging Gracefully

4 Comments

  • Angie Vallejo

    Great reminders. many don’t realize that a healthy smile keeps other problems at bay. Even at my age, I did Invisalign to correct teeth that had become crooked and to help my TMJ. It was great for my health as well as self-confidence!

  • Diana Walker

    Brushing your teeth and flossing are so important. I am pretty good. But I could do better. I like how you tie dental care into anti-aging, and how important it is. Oh – and congratulations on your new novel, being launched soon! Diana

  • Martha

    For me, my teeth are as important as any other health issue. I am lucky that I’ve been taking care of my teeth since I was young and I still have them all. I remember when my mom was in the nursing home and bed ridden, they would never brush her teeth and she always had beautiful teeth before. We would brush them every time we visited but I’ve always wondered why the nurses/aides to keep that up with their patients. Great information, thanks for sharing.

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