No one likes going to the dentist, but oral hygiene problems may be more common than you think.
Roughly 20% of adults have at least one untreated cavity. It’ll happen to nearly everyone at some point, with 96% of those aged 65 years or older having had a cavity at some point in their lives, according to the CDC.
Gum disease is also common — and risky. The National Library of Medicine calls it the leading threat to dental health and the most common cause of tooth loss.
More than 42% of all adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease, and almost 8% have the more profound version of it, called severe periodontal disease. That rate climbs as people get older, though, with more than half of adults aged 65 and older having some form of gum disease.
Not only will all of this lead to a bad time at the dentist, but it can also potentially affect your brain and heart health.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that having both cavities and gum disease is associated with a 36% higher risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.
The research analyzed data on nearly 6,000 people with an average age of 63 and no history of stroke at the beginning of the study. Participants had dental exams at the start of the study to establish overall oral health and were then placed in one of three groups:
- Healthy mouth
- Gum disease only
- Gum disease with cavities
Researchers followed participants for two decades and, through medical records and phone visits, determined those who had a stroke.
The results show that people with regular dental visits were 81% less likely to have both gum disease and cavities and 29% less likely to have gum disease alone.
Among the people with healthy mouths, 4% had a stroke. Among those with gum disease only, 7% had a stroke, and of those with gum disease and cavities, 10% had a stroke.
Researchers also found that, compared to those with a healthy mouth, those with both gum disease and cavities are linked to an 86% increased risk of stroke.
Having gum disease alone was linked to a 44% higher risk.
So, aside from pesky dentist visits, how can you maintain a healthy mouth and prevent cavities and gum disease?
The first tip is the most obvious — be sure to brush and floss regularly. This helps get rid of the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. The American Dental Association has a guide to proper brushing on its website.
Another tip to consider is cutting back on sugary and acidic drinks and opting for more water. If you can’t skip out on your morning coffee, though, the University of Chicago, Illinois, College of Dentistry recommends you try finishing your cup in 20 minutes and rinsing your mouth out with water afterward.
Addressing issues like heartburn and dry mouth is important too, as each of those can lead to oral health problems.
Utilizing fluoride is also an important part of maximizing oral health. Brush with fluoride toothpaste, drink fluoridated water or even use fluoride gels or tablets.
For more on why you want to maintain a healthy mouth, see “This Dental Issue Is Linked to a Higher Dementia Risk.”
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