Add years to your life by brushing your teeth; study says the trick is time-centric

Death risk, according to the study, also increased with an increased number of missing teeth. Toothless people even with dentures had a 30 per cent higher risk of death as opposed to others with 20 and more teeth.
Oral health-related behaviours also helped maintain healthy, natural and functional teeth in older adults while improving chances of a longer life.

Oral health related behaviours also helped maintain healthy, natural and functional teeth in older adults while improving chances of a longer life.

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New Delhi: A long life may not always be a smooth road with few or no difficulties or struggles on the way – especially in terms of health. However, experts continue to scoop ways that could help one live for a prolonged number of years – sometimes to be a 100 and beyond, and that too, disease-free. And as per new research published in the Journal of Aging, the key to living longer and healthier lies in good oral health – how basic dental habits like brushing the teeth could induce longevity.
Experts explored the link between dental habit and their respective effects on longevity separately for men and women and discovered something shocking – brushing the teeth at night before bedtime was an important risk factor for longevity. Additionally, using dental floss and making regular visits to the doctor also had a role to play.
Furthermore, not brushing the teeth at night increased the early death risk by 25-30 per cent; not flossing also raised the odds by 30 per cent.
Oral health and longevity: The link explained
Death risk, according to the study, also increased with an increased number of missing teeth. Toothless people even with dentures had a 30 per cent higher risk of death as opposed to others with 20 and more teeth.
Oral health related behaviours also helped maintain healthy, natural and functional teeth in older adults while improving chances of a longer life. This was backed by a recent study published in the journal of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. It discovered that people with 20 or more teeth at the age of 70 had a considerably higher chance of living longer than people with less than 20 whites.
Several studies also indicate that oral health markers like gum disease could also be associated with long-term risks of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes and pregnancy complications.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
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