Gum Disease Can Reduce Your Life Span

In a study published in the Journal of Aging, subjects that never brushed their teeth at night increased  their risk  of dying by 20–35% compared with those subjects that brushed their teeth  every day.  In the same study, they found that subjects that never flossed their teeth increased their risk of dying by 30% compared with those subjects, who flossed their teeth every day.  Those subjects that have not seen a dentist within the last 12 months also had an increased risk of mortality by 30–50% compared with those subjects that saw their  dentist two or more times. (https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jar/2011/156061)

Dr. Michael Roizen, cites in his book Real Age: Are You As Young As You Could Be?, several studies. One study showed that the absence of gum disease could increase your lifespan by 6.4 years.  In contrast, the presence of gum disease could make one’s real age 3.4 years less.  In another study, Dr. Roizen notes that people with gingivitis and periodontitis have a 23-46% higher change of dying than those who are disease-free. Lastly,  in another study, men under the age of 50 with advanced gum disease, are 2.6 times likely to die prematurely than those who have healthy teeth and gums.

Gum disease is not just a dental issue. It can affect your overall health and well-being.