Can Keeping Your Natural Teeth Equate to Longer Lives?

A California retirement community study of 5,611 older adults conducted between 1992 and 2009 explored the association between dentition (the condition of your teeth) and mortality. It showed that “maintenance of good oral hygiene is an important health promoter in aging populations.” In the research, edentulous (lacking any teeth) men and women had a 30% increased 17-year mortality risk compared with those with 20+ teeth.

Another report from Sweden concludes that “each remaining tooth at age 70 decreased the seven-year mortality risk by 4%.” Similar articles have been published through recent decades. In the end, we know there are many other related factors to be considered, like smoking, periodontal health, access to health care and more.

But there is clearly a relationship between oral health and our overall health, with much additional research showing links between oral health and systemic diseases like heart disease, some cancers, and many more serious issues.

Addressing Dental Concerns

As experts in the field of periodontics and dental implants, saving your natural teeth is always our first choice when it comes to improving your oral and overall health. But healthy teeth require healthy gum and jawbone tissue to protect tooth roots. With simple office procedures like root planing and scaling, our trained periodontal hygienists work with us to help you save teeth that might otherwise become unstable or, worse, fall out or need to be pulled.

LANAP® Laser Therapy for Gum Disease

One of our top evidence-based protocols, LANAP® therapy helps connective gum and bone tissue heal to reverse the damage of gum disease. With LANAP®, we can even help save loose teeth.  This highly effective “zapping” process targets diseased gum tissue while leaving healthy gum tissue untouched. Other benefits:

• Less swelling or bleeding than other procedures
• Less downtime
• Minimally invasive
• Promotes gum regeneration and repair

If you’re looking to improve your smile and restore your gum health, contact us at the South Florida Center for Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. Learn more about LANAP® and other treatments to reverse gum disease. We’d love to help you keep your smile healthy for 2022 and beyond!