Caring for our teeth is imperative – but we must also know the varying procedures on cleaning our teeth and gums as we age. Baby teeth are just as sensitive to any bacteria and plaque as adult teeth. Elder people’s teeth and gums are prone to more serious conditions like periodontal disease, as contracted by complications from cancer, diabetes and other disorders that come as to no surprise as a person reaches his/her prime.

One major factor that contributes to oral health risks are dental appliances seniors wear—dentures, implants and crowns. Pairing those with the naturally declining health of the body as one ages, the more likely for the body to contract periodontal diseases. There are also medications that constrict one’s immune system. Recent studies have shown that while taking in medications may help in curing the body of a disease, it compromises the pancreatic functions and may cause liver failure, thereby increasing the chance of acquiring diabetes at a later point in life.

The heart, for a fact, is not a perpetual machine. As we age, the less our heart becomes throttled to work efficiently like it did decades ago. Arteries become clogged with fatty deposits, blood vessel composition thins. This in turn, overworks the heart and cause frequent fits of hypertension. The best way to care for our heart is to start eating healthy foods like oatmeal and vegetables at an early age. Cutting down on meat and other fatty foods is obviously of the essence. There are certain foods that may look harmless to the naked eye, but by studying their composition, one will see that they pack in more trans fat (or unsaturated fat) than a pan full of cooking oil. Examples of trans fat-rich foods are French fries and both processed & unprocessed milk. Anything “deep-fried to perfection” likely has high amounts of trans fat.

Recorded cardiovascular diseases have claimed the lives of more than 80 million people in the United States, according to a 2006 aggregate report. Branching in, we could see that the death toll is higher on low to middle class families, particularly because of familial and work-related stress. The unemployment numbers are piling in more now that the recession has come to a decade all-time high of 9.5%. Commensurate to that figure is the risk that more people will die because of heart-related problems in the coming years.

Why the heart is linked to oral health

We can safely assume that people with poor oral health tend to be careless with what they eat. The American Heart Association (ADA) conducted a study in 1992-2002 on US citizens that aimed to correlate the mortality rates between people who have heart problems to oral health. The result: a staggering 95% of people ages 40-59 have tooth decay on the surface of their teeth. People aged over 60 have lost all of their teeth and are either dependent on dentures or have given up eating hard foods.

The investigation spawned a distinct correlation of oral infections to coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease patients have shown signs of gingivitis/periodontitis and other tooth and gum diseases.

How you can prevent it

The general public frequently overlooks the label “Foods for a Healthy Heart” in grocery stores. The composition of these foods does not generally appease all people, but they do however, give us a choice if we want to live longer or not. The commercial purpose of healthy foods only comes second to its aim to help people live healthier lives

Before, the bland taste of oatmeal has unsuccessful in getting people’s eating interests. Now, the artificial (but safe) flavoring of not only oatmeal, but other healthy foods like yogurt and other snack bars have been effective.

But why is the mortality rate rising when people are buying these healthy foods? Simple: the majority of consumers can’t resist eating healthy food for even a  week. They can try it, but most of the time they’ll go back to their roots—wolfing down sweets and fatty foods.

A healthy lifestyle is great, and consistency is the key to achieving lifelong healthiness.

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