(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
THERE IS a four-minute habit that increases longevity or lifespan.
No, it’s not doing daily exercises. Nor is it about sensible diets.
Of course, an active lifestyle (read: regular exercise) leads to a longer life. Or if you hate the word “exercise”, say walking daily, climbing stairs, window shopping and playing basketball or tennis.
Eating a sensible diet of fruits and vegetables, vegetables and fruits, and less sugar and salt, also increase the lifespan.
There’s another factor that stretches our living in a graceful and healthy way. And it takes just four minutes at the very least.
That’s brushing your teeth for a minimum of two minutes each time during the day. There is science behind this statement.
A study published in the British Medical Journal shows that, indeed, brushing your teeth twice a day leads to a longer life.
The study looked at whether self-reported toothbrushing behavior among 11,869 men and women with a mean age of 50 is linked with cardiovascular disease and markers of inflammation.
It is based on data from the Scottish Health Survey, a nationally representative sample of the general population in Scotland.
The researchers looked at oral health behavior, whether study participants brushed their teeth twice a day, once a day or less than once a day.
On a separate visit nurses collected information on medical history and family history of cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, and blood samples from consenting adults.
The study showed that participants who reported poor oral hygiene (never/rarely brushed their teeth) and had an increased risk of a cardiovascular disease, the National Health Service (NHS) reported. (The NHS is the United Kingdom’s equivalent of our Department of Health.)
It also showed data suggesting that brushing the teeth twice each day can mitigate the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
The study concluded: “Poor oral hygiene is associated with higher levels of risk of cardiovascular disease and low- grade inflammation, though the causal nature of the association is yet to be determined.”
The NIH recommends that “to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy,” one should brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day for about two minutes each time.
***
Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He was Assistant Professor at the National University, 2018; and Associate Professor, University of Makati, 2018. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
