Now that we have your attention, the truth is, we don’t really have a big dental secret. But we do have some interesting news. Researchers have compiled evidence that supports the idea that good dental health can help slow down the aging process, and who doesn’t want to stay younger for longer? Let’s check in with your dentist in Hermiston to see exactly how healthy teeth could help out as we get older.
Inflammation
The main connection between aging and oral health is inflammation. Inflammation occurs as the body’s response to infection or injury and is very common in those who have gum disease. Gum disease often occurs from poor oral hygiene, among other things, and can be damaging to both oral health and overall health. In fact, research shows that those with gum disease are at increased risk of heart disease and dementia, among other whole-body problems.
When gum disease is present, so is inflammation. What makes it worse is that advanced gum disease can’t be reversed by your dentist in Hermiston. This means that your body is constantly exposed to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can weaken your immune system and make it harder for the body to fight off disease, including age-related diseases.
Appearance
Keeping your teeth healthy and strong can also help reduce the appearance of aging. While having white teeth is one sign of a younger appearance, there are many other ways your oral health can help keep you looking young.
Teeth and the entire jaw essentially form your facial appearance. This is one reason why it’s so important to keep your natural teeth. Without them, your face can take on a baggy, older look. To help keep your teeth for a lifetime, make sure you brush and floss every day and see your dentist in Hermiston at least every six months.
How Can Dentistry Help?
Even if your smile is showing your age more than you want it to, there are numerous ways dentistry can help. Depending on your specific concerns, you may be a candidate for certain types of cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry, such as:
- Smile Whitening – Professional whitening can help transform the color of your teeth and make you look younger.
- Dental Veneers – Veneers can cover up any imperfections that you don’t like and create a youthful smile.
- Dental Implants – Missing teeth can often be replaced with dental implants. These permanent replacements help in many ways, including continuing to stimulate the jaw bone so it doesn’t take on a sagging appearance.
As we’ve mentioned before, we don’t really have a huge dental secret to help during the aging process. Truly, taking care of your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly and seeing your dentist in Hermiston at least twice a year are easy ways to protect your oral health and keep you feeling and looking young.
