How Many Teeth Have You Lost? The Number Reveals How Long You Will Live
Research
found people who had lost five or more teeth by the age of 65 were also more
likely to suffer from other serious health issues.
TOOTH
loss could predict when you will die, according to new research.
Those
who have a full set of teeth when they are 74-years-old are more likely to
reach 100, scientists say.
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Tooth loss is linked to stress which can lead to more serious illness like heart disease. |
The
number of teeth we lose can be a key indicator as to how well we are looking
after ourselves, with the study finding tooth
loss is closely related to stress during a person’s lifetime.
The
stress includes social, emotional, economic and educational experiences as well
as chronic diseases, genetic conditions and lifestyle choices.
The
research, published in Periodontology 2000, showed that people who had
lost five or more teeth by the age of 65 were also more likely to suffer from
other serious health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and
osteoporosis, which could severely limit a person’s life expectancy.
Many
of these illnesses have been previously linked to as person’s quality of life
and their socio-economic status.
Dr
Nigel Carter, of the Oral Health Foundation, said: “There are many reasons why
somebody can lose their teeth, it could be down to trauma, smoking or just a
continued poor oral health routine, it can also be related to gum disease which
is closely linked to health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
“What
this piece of research suggests is that tooth loss can often be a signifier of
a poor quality of other areas of a person’s lifestyle and therefore a higher
likelihood of someone having health issues because of this.
“Importantly
it also shows that diseases associated with tooth loss, such as gum disease,
can also contribute to an increased risk of life limiting diseases.
“It
is very evident that what is going on in our mouths can really be a useful
window to our overall health. It is therefore vital that we take proper care of
our mouth and pay close attention to what is happening as it could be a sign of
something more serious.”
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Experts are urging people to clean their teeth twice a day and visit their dentist for regular check-ups. |
Scientists
in the US have previously
conducted a trial using a new plaque identifying toothpaste called Plaque HD to
determine if brushing your teeth could prevent heart attacks and strokes.
It
was shown to significantly reduce both dental plaque and inflammation through
the body, which is measured by high sensitivity C-reactive protein, a marker
for further heart attacks and strokes.
The
Oral Health Foundation is urging
people to brush their teeth morning and night with a fluoride
toothpaste, cut down on sugary foods and drinks and visit the dentist
regularly.
Dr
Carter added: “Tooth loss itself comes with its own problems, it can lead to
issues with eating and therefore a person’s ongoing nutrition and even create
problems with their ability to communicate.
“We
welcome more research into this matter as it may be a way to detect and prevent
diseases related to tooth loss and other serious systemic diseases.”
Source:
www.thesun.co.uk