What is the relationship between tooth loss and longevity? After the age of 70, how many teeth are left to be considered normal? Did you hit the mark?
"I lost two more teeth this week and oh my god what's wrong with me"
Uncle Zhou, 72, has been losing his teeth one after another in recent years. Uncle Zhou was worried that he had heard that tooth loss was a sign of short lifespan, because those centenarians had good teeth.
Uncle Zhou's wife has a different view, thinking that when he gets old, he will lose his teeth. Moreover, Uncle Zhou has been smoking and drinking for decades, and he doesn't brush his teeth at night. How can he not lose his teeth after such tossing.
My wife advised Uncle Zhou not to think blindly, and it is best to brush your teeth every day. But the knot in Uncle Zhou's heart is always difficult to disappear...
1. What happens if you don't brush your teeth well?
How many times a day do you brush your teeth?
A prospective chronic disease study in China, published in the European Journal of Clinical Research, analyzed 500,000 people and found that not brushing your teeth regularly may affect life expectancy.
The researchers analyzed the results and found that people who didn't brush their teeth regularly or rarely brushed their teeth had a 25% higher risk of all-cause death, an 8% higher risk of stroke, a 9% higher risk of cancer, and a 9% higher risk of cerebral hemorrhage than those who brushed regularly. 18% increased risk, 25% increased risk of cirrhosis, etc. Although this is an observational study, it also means that poor brushing can affect your health.
Dental problems are not only in the elderly, it is said that the post-90s have already lost their teeth before they get old. The primary cause of premature tooth loss in adults is periodontitis . Xu Yonggang, deputy chief physician of the Department of Stomatology of Xiaogan Central Hospital in Hubei Province, once treated young patients with loose teeth, was diagnosed with advanced periodontitis, and finally faced all teeth extraction. s consequence.
Periodontitis, which refers to inflammation of the gums, is associated with the development of dental plaque.
Plaque is the microflora in human teeth and oral cavity. If you don’t brush your teeth frequently or brush your teeth incorrectly, it may lead to plaque accumulation, calcification, and the formation of dental calculus . If it continues to develop for a long time, it may lead to inflammation of the gums and even the appearance of teeth. Loose, form periodontitis, face the consequences of tooth loss.
2. Is tooth loss related to longevity?
Many people think that when people get old, they will lose their teeth naturally, but this is a misunderstanding.
Physiological studies have pointed out that the physiological lifespan of teeth is even longer than the lifespan of the human being . Age has little to do with tooth loss. The reason is that oral health care is not in place. People with good oral health protection can eat anything when they are old and have good teeth.
A study from Denmark, through a 21-year follow-up survey of 573 70-year-olds, found that the elderly who lost all their teeth and had fewer than 10 teeth had a higher disability rate within five years than those with 20. The elderly with 2 teeth were 2.81 times and 2.13 times higher.
For people over 70 years old, when the number of functional teeth is greater than 20, the 7-year risk of death is 22%, and when the number of functional teeth is only 1-9, the 7-year risk of death is 50%.
Although the causal relationship between tooth loss and longevity cannot be determined, it is known that tooth loss can also have adverse effects on health. After the age of 70, how many teeth are left to be considered normal?
The "Healthy Oral Action Plan (2019-2025)" states that by 2020, the number of remaining teeth for the elderly aged 65-74 should be 23 .
The World Health Organization once proposed the "8020 Plan", pointing out that 80-year-olds should have at least 20 functional teeth . Functional teeth here refer to teeth that can chew food without loosening. It can be seen that the elderly after the age of 70 should retain at least 20 functional teeth.
Many people think that it is okay to lose a few teeth, but in fact, if the lost teeth are not replaced in time, it may affect the chewing function, and also affect the appearance of the face, resulting in the lack of occlusal stimulation of the teeth, which is more and more difficult to repair.
Third, the wrong way of brushing your teeth, the more you brush, the more you hurt
Always stay away from the wrong way of brushing your teeth, otherwise it may cause more damage to your teeth.
1. Brush your teeth too hard
Brushing your teeth too hard may cause bleeding gums, resulting in gum damage, gum recession and other consequences.
2. Too short brushing time
The effective brushing time should be more than three minutes, and it is necessary to brush all aspects. If the time is too short, it is invalid brushing.
3. Brush your teeth sideways
Brushing your teeth sideways all the time may cause wedge-shaped defects in the teeth, and may also induce tooth soreness and neuralgia.
4. Only brush the tips of the teeth, not the side of the tongue and tongue coating
When brushing your teeth, you must pay attention to cleaning the gums. This area is prone to accumulation of plaque and food debris. Long-term non-brushing may cause calculus and even induce periodontitis. In addition, brush the side of the tongue, tongue coating and other parts, which is more conducive to oral health.
In addition, different groups of people should choose different ways of brushing and cleaning their teeth.
·Children in the period of tooth replacement
Children who are changing their teeth can choose water flossing to clean their teeth, which can inhibit plaque and gingivitis.
· People who often drink coffee, tea and other beverages
People who usually like to drink tea, coffee, etc., are prone to tooth pigmentation. It is best to choose a bristle toothbrush. In addition, pay attention to brushing twice a day for 3-5 minutes.
·Elderly
For the elderly, the oral mucosa is very thin, it is best to use a toothbrush with a small brush head, and try to choose softer and more elastic bristles.
· Orthodontic period
For those who are in the period of orthodontic treatment, it is best to choose an electric toothbrush.
· People with dentures or wide gaps
For these two groups of people, it is best to use an interdental brush for oral hygiene cleaning.
In short, often not brushing your teeth may accelerate the loss of teeth and affect your health. It is best to brush your teeth every morning and evening to protect your teeth and oral health. Stay away from some wrong brushing methods. Different groups of people can choose different cleaning methods.
References:
[1] "The first batch of post-90s have begun to lose their teeth! Why can't many people escape the fate of losing their teeth? ". Health Times. 2020-11-05
[2] "Lack of teeth" not only affects the oral cavity, but also shortens life expectancy by 11.7 years. Life Times. 2022-10-13
[3] "Beware! Brushing your teeth like this is not only unclean, but also ruins your teeth! Most people do it wrong". Popular Science China. 2021-06-01
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