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Staying Healthy
The senior’s guide to dental care
- By Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
Avoiding problems like gingivitis and tooth loss may help protect against other serious health issues.
The eyes may be the gateway to your soul, but oral health is a window into overall health. "Good dental health not only protects against gum disease, gum inflammation, and tooth loss, but also can protect against many other age-related diseases," says Dr. Len Brennan of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. "A healthy mouth really can lead to a healthier body."
A healthy smile
Poor oral health can have severe consequences. Research has shown that gum inflammation (gingivitis) raises the risk for lung disease, heart disease, blood vessel blockage, and strokes.
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