Healthy Teeth and a Confident Smile May Help You Live Long and Go Far

Healthy teeth just might be one of the best things you can do for your body and your future. In fact, taking good care of your teeth and smiling may help you live a longer, healthier life. Don’t just take our word for it. There are lots of studies to back it up.

One range of studies looks at the biological aspects of a healthy smile as they relate to longevity, health, and happiness. Focusing on a long life, for example, one study uses teeth as a predictor of length and quality of life. The oral health care habits of participants, their current fitness, and mortality rates over periods ranging from 4-12 years show interesting outcomes. These studies confirm that the more teeth you have, the lower your risk of death. But it also shows that people who practice regular tooth brushing, dental visits, and wearing dentures have a lower mortality risk than those who don’t.

Another group of studies examines your smile in relationship to your mindset. For example, studies gathered by Psychology Today and various universities explore the results of smiling frequently and living a positive lifestyle. Many new studies to this line were added during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Often this line of research takes into consideration how smiling impacts personality, confidence, perspective, success, attitude, and similar aspects of our emotional welfare.

Healthy Teeth and The Keys to Better Living Revealed

As a result of this valuable information, we have the “not so secret” formula to promote a long and healthy life. First, brush your teeth; second, visit the dentist and orthodontist regularly; third, wear your dentures or get implants if you are missing teeth; and finally, smile often.

Put brushing and flossing at the top of your list. Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. And don’t forget to floss because this removes debris and plaque from between your teeth. Therefore, it prevents decay and gum disease.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that regular dental and orthodontic visits are vital to maintain your oral health and prevent diseases that degrade your health at all ages.

To Live Long, Develop Good Habits at a Young Age

Today, people are living longer than ever in recent memory. However, the quality of your later years really depends on the actions you take to care for your teeth while you are young.

There are many things you may be doing to improve your odds of living longer. These include getting exercise, eating right, drinking in moderation, and quitting smoking. But if you’re not taking care of your teeth, you’re missing one of the most important elements.

Our teeth serve such an important role to play in our lives. In addition to helping us chew and digest food, they also help us speak clearly and give shape and unique identity to our faces. Plus, smiling has daily benefits. It gives us confidence and influences our social lives, careers, and relationships. As a result, investing time and resources in your smile is well worth it.

Numbers Count! Keep It Real and Keep Your Healthy Teeth

Hang onto your teeth by brushing twice daily, eating a diet low in sugar, and visiting your dental professionals regularly. Sky Ortho is ready to help you with all of your orthodontic issues. Correcting alignment, spacing, and jaw issues are critical when it comes to reducing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Believe it or not, research has found that the number of teeth we have is strongly linked to how long we live. People with 20 teeth or more at the age of 70 have a considerably higher chance of living longer than those with less than 20 teeth.

Losing your teeth as a result of decay and gum disease is usually preventable. With a good daily oral health routine, most people can keep the majority of their teeth for life.

Why Healthy Teeth and Gums Make for a Healthier Body

Unfortunately, patients with gum disease, are at risk of the bacteria from their mouth getting into the bloodstream. Bacteria in the bloodstream produce a protein that causes the blood to thicken and clot. These clots can prevent the heart is getting the nutrients and oxygen it needs, resulting in an increased risk of a heart attack.

Similarly, gum disease can also cause inflammation of the blood vessels. This blocks the blood supply to the brain, leading to a potential stroke. In addition, new research also shows that people with gum disease are more likely to develop diabetes.

If you are expecting, it is especially important to keep your teeth healthy. Pregnant women with healthy gums are about three times less likely to have a baby that is premature, reducing the risk of having a low birth weight. Research says there is a one-in-four chance that a pregnant woman with gum disease could give birth before 35 weeks. This is because gum disease raises the levels of the chemicals that bring on labor.

Healthy Teeth Can Reduce Your Risk of Certain Diseases

By keeping your teeth and gums healthy, certain cancers and even some forms of dementia are kept at bay. Gum disease makes you more likely to develop cancer than if you have healthy teeth and gums, especially if you are a woman, according to a study published in 2017. The risk is associated with esophageal, lung, gallbladder, breast, and skin cancers. More than 66,000 postmenopausal women, ages 54 to 86, participated in this study over a period of about eight years. At the start of the study, they completed a health survey. In addition, they were checked for a history of periodontal disease, an inflammation of the gums that can lead to tooth loss.

Periodontal disease—which affects 70 percent of adults 65 and older, according to CDC estimates—is characterized by inflammation, with pockets between the teeth and gums that enlarge and harbor bacteria. Older adults with more harmful than healthy bacteria in their gums are more likely to have evidence for amyloid-beta—a key biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease—in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This is according to research from NYU College of Dentistry and Weill Cornell Medicine. A study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, adds to growing evidence of a connection between periodontal disease (gum disease) and Alzheimer’s.

Looking and Feeling Great with Healthy Teeth

Who doesn’t want to look and feel their best? it raises our confidence and provides a sense of well-being. Keeping our teeth clean and healthy can help us steer clear of a negative self-image and bad breath, also known as halitosis. Bad breath is frequently caused by a buildup of plaque and it is a symptom of gum disease and tooth decay.

If you are dealing with crooked teeth or a bite that is misaligned, achieving the healthy smile of your dreams is possible. Make an appointment today with your orthodontist to find a solution that works for you. At Sky Ortho, we have special offers to make a healthy smile affordable for everyone. Call or email us today to learn more.