Does not brushing your teeth properly really shorten your life?

We all know that we need to brush our teeth frequently if we want to have a healthy oral cavity.

But you may not know that

Our oral health can also affect our lifespan

Studies have shown that

People who don’t brush their teeth regularly

Increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and cancer

A bacteria that causes periodontitis

It also increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Let me take you to learn about it today!

Not brushing your teeth properly can really affect your overall health!

01 Not brushing your teeth properly increases the risk of digestive tract tumors

In 2020, a study published in Gut, the top international journal in the field of gastroenterology, analyzed nearly 150,000 people over a period of more than 20 years. During the survey period of 22 to 28 years, 199 people developed esophageal cancer and 238 people developed gastric cancer. The study showed that people with a history of gum disease had a 43% and 52% increased risk of esophageal cancer or gastric cancer; people who lost two or more teeth had a 42% and 33% increased risk of esophageal cancer and gastric cancer; if people had a history of gum disease and lost teeth at the same time, the risk of gastric cancer increased by 68%; further analysis found that common bacteria in the mouth, such as Steinella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis, were associated with the onset of esophageal cancer, while poor oral hygiene and gum disease increased the growth of bacteria that increased the risk of gastric cancer.

02 Not brushing your teeth properly can lead to cardiovascular disease

In 2015, a study published in the authoritative journal European Heart Journal confirmed that people who brush their teeth once more a day have a better effect in preventing cardiovascular disease. Researchers said that maintaining oral hygiene and making simple changes can prevent heart disease, and the benefits are not small.

The research data came from South Korea's National Health Insurance System - National Health Screening Cohort, which included 247,696 residents aged 40 and above. After 9.5 years of follow-up, it was found that: Compared with people who do not brush their teeth or brush their teeth once a day, brushing their teeth twice a day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 13%; brushing ≥ 3 times a day can reduce it by 21%. For those who have their teeth cleaned more than once a year, the risk of cardiovascular disease can be reduced by 14%.

The researchers believe that the benefits of maintaining oral hygiene may be related to reducing oral inflammation levels, controlling diabetes and hypertension, and improving oral flora. People with periodontal disease, caries, or more tooth loss are also at higher risk for cardiovascular events.

03 Not brushing your teeth properly may cause chronic pharyngitis

After people eat, there are usually a lot of food residues in the mouth. If you do not pay attention to oral hygiene, the food residues will remain and easily lead to bacterial growth. After the bacteria grow, it will affect oral health. Under the influence of bacteria or certain inflammations, the human throat mucosa will also be invaded, resulting in chronic pharyngitis.

04 Not brushing your teeth properly increases the risk of dementia

In 2019, a study published in the prestigious journal Science Advances showed that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium that causes periodontitis, can also cause Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although Porphyromonas gingivalis is not the only cause of Alzheimer's disease, the presence of these bacteria greatly increases the risk of developing the disease and is also associated with a faster progression of the disease.

If you want to have good teeth, do these three things

01 Brush your teeth with warm water for 3 minutes twice a day, morning and evening

Brush the outside of the teeth: keep the bristles at a 45° angle to the teeth, and brush 2 to 3 teeth back and forth about 10 times in small circles; brush the inside of the teeth: aim the bristles at the junction of the teeth and gums, and the brush handle should be close to the front teeth; brush the occlusal surface of the teeth: brush two teeth back and forth, you can brush with a little more force; brush the front teeth: brush vertically up and down, brush both the inside and outside; brush the surface of the tongue: finally brush the surface of the tongue lightly, and then rinse your mouth with clean water.

02 Promote the use of dental floss instead of toothpicks

If you use a toothpick to poke at food stuck in your teeth, it may cause acute periodontitis, gum abscess, pain and bleeding. The correct way is to use dental floss. Pull the dental floss tightly and gently pull it along the front, back, left and right directions between the teeth. The food stuck in the teeth will be taken out as the dental floss moves.

03 Visit the dentist once or twice a year and have your teeth cleaned regularly

Long-term accumulation of dental plaque will widen the gaps between teeth and may cause the teeth to become loose. If dental plaque appears, it should be removed as soon as possible. It is generally recommended to clean your teeth twice a year.