Essential Gum Health
Just had a routine dental checkup. Generally I have had better luck than most in the dental arena. No cavities so far and I am in my 70s so count myself fortunate. This old dentist was probably 10 years older than me and still practicing and I assume it is because he loves it.
Anyway, I learned a few things and he reinforced some notions that I was already putting into practice.
As you may know, dental health is closely related to overall health. One mechanism as emphasized by this dentist is the seal made by the gums around the teeth to keep the infusion of bacteria into the body at bay. So for overall health, gum health is paramount. Proper brushing and flossing have been addressed by so many, so I won’t get into that here. I am mostly interested in your motivation to keep your gums as healthy as possible.
As far as heart health is concerned, the bacteria that leak into the body through the gum-tooth interface can contribute to inflammation of the blood vessels increasing probability of heart attack or stroke. It appears that people with gum disease are two to three times more likely to have these serious cardiovascular events.
Avoiding cigarette and cigar smoke along with a decent diet are good first steps along with your oral hygiene. Supplements can also help but don’t plan on supplements making up for poor lifestyle habits.
Studies have shown that CoQ10 is helpful for preserving gum health since I started looking at such things in the 1970s. I have been taking 200mg of CoQ 10 for decades. Currently we recommend
NuMedica CoQ-Clear 100 Ubiquinol.
The other supplements that help gums also are basic supplements for the rest of your body too, like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, magnesium.
This particular dentist also mentioned that eating breakfast is key to longevity. Well, that notion I question. I eat a moderate breakfast but after living in Spain for 6 years, we saw many healthy people who started every day with a cup of coffee and a piece of toast. So I think what you eat is more important than when. Personally I use an intermittent fasting approach to keeping my weight and cholesterol under control.
DS 2025