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Dental hygiene key to predicting mortality, Japanese researchers find

35 points by thunderbong

by BXLE_1-1-BitIs1

0 subcomment

Once bacteria set up house deep inside a tooth, they are sheltered from the immune system while dispatching bacteria into the blood system. I've had infected tooth removed and found myself feeling a whole bunch better after.
Infection can spread to adjacent teeth or sneak in alongside a loose filling or underneath a crown.
A wobbly tooth is likely infected and you might want to get it out to protect adjacent teeth.
I had a root canal in my 20s that failed 10 years later and was replaced by a bridge that had to be replaced every decade or so until a tooth supporting the bridge failed; so I ended up with two implants.
Implant technology is really good today. You will ultimately save money and misery by going straight to an implant if a root canal or bridge is suggested. You will still need to floss to prevent gum loss.

by ronbenton

2 subcomments

Maybe a silly question, but do any science-y people know if studies like this make sure the inverse relationship isn't actually what's at play? Basically how do we know the actual relationship isn't that unhealthy people are less likely to take care of their teeth?

by scuff3d

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Probably one of the single best investments of time and money you can make is on maintaining your teeth. Incredibly high "return" for relatively small "investment".
Even if you don't have good (or any) healthcare, simply thoroughly brushing and flossing everyday will make a world of differece. If you can scrape together a couple hundred bucks for cleanings once or twice a year, even better.
I spent years neglecting my teeth, really only brushing daily and doing nothing else. Once I started going to the dentist regularlyx I got incredibly lucky they weren't much worse. Minutes a day and a couple hundred a year will save you a lot of pain and money in the long run.

by iammjm

5 subcomments

Aren't good teeth just a proxy for wealth, healthy habits, good nutrition, and generally good health and wellbeing?

by jslakro

0 subcomment

> Such declines are known to reduce food intake, physical strength and social interaction, all of which can accelerate health deterioration among older adults.
This is probably the key of causation

by vardump

1 subcomments

Not surprised. Mouth represents a huge surface area and it's also pretty close to the heart. Infections in mouth area can spread quickly to our core organs.