You should know by now that every part of the human body plays a crucial role that culminates in a person's overall welfare and general health. This is why experts believe that every part of our body, no matter how small, is vital to our general functionality as humans. Research studies have also shown that a problem with any of these body parts can lead to more severe issues in the whole body system, and it might even alter a person's life expectancy and longevity.
For example, studies have revealed that people with untreated hearing problems are likely to face an increased mortality rate and shorter life expectancy as they grow older. This also goes for people with visual impairments and suffering from malnutrition, untreated infections, and trauma. This report proves the integrity of the claim that the human body is interconnected and interdependent.
One of such small but essential human body parts that has a lot of connection with an individual's general health, wellbeing, and even longevity is teeth. This is especially true for older citizens. According to recent research results, people who have twenty or more teeth between the age of 70 to 75 are more disposed to live longer than people with a lesser amount of teeth at that age.
However, a problem with this fact is that many people are not aware of it. This is why some dental professionals, organizations, and experts, like The Smilist Dental in Smithtown, have taken it upon themselves to spread the awareness and educate people about the link between the number of an individual's teeth and their life expectancy. This article is going to study this concept for more in-depth information. Ensure to read to the end.
What does Life Expectancy Entail?
In simple terms, life expectancy can be the calculation of the expected time an individual is supposed to live on earth. This calculation is often done cognizance of certain factors, including the year of birth, current age, and some other demographic considerations. In other words, life expectancy can be said to be the average number of years a specific population is expected to live before dying, based on some biological and demographic factors.
How Long are the Human Teeth Supposed to Last?
The human teeth at the adult stage can't last for a pretty long time, depending on the individual and how well they are cared for. Some individuals can live to old age without damaging their teeth. However, some others often experience more dental issues at old age. How long your teeth will last often boils down to how well you care for them.
Life Expectancy Linked to the Number of a Person's Teeth
Humans are often born without teeth. However, they grow the teeth as they mature in age. At some point, between the age of 12 and 15, a child is expected to lose all his first set of teeth, also known as baby teeth, and begin to grow another set of teeth known as adult teeth. Typically, a complete adult set of teeth should be 32.
Recent research has shown that tooth loss indicates a shortened life span, especially among older people. This is why you must book regular appointments with your dentist for checkups and early treatment of dental issues that could cause tooth loss. Some of the things that can lead to tooth loss include:
Chronic Diseases: some diseases like cardiovascular issues, diabetes, etc., can weaken the gum tissues' resistance to tooth loss. These diseases can lead to more bacteria and germs in the mouth. It can also cause injuries in the mouth to have a more extended healing period.
Stress: various stress types, including physical, mental, emotional, environmental, educational, and social stress, can lead to tooth damage or loss. Stress often causes people to grind their teeth, leading to more pressure on the teeth and exposing them to higher chances of damage.
Lifestyle Choices: some choices we make in life can affect our dental health and strength when we grow older. For instance, people who smoke are more exposed to tooth loss and damage than those who do not smoke.
Inadequate Oral Care: barely anything can expose a person to tooth damage and loss as much as inadequate oral care. If you fail to brush, floss, and care for your teeth, especially at old age, then you are exposing yourself to more risk of tooth damage.
Conclusion
It has been proven that the number of teeth in your mouth as you grow older can determine how much longer you will live. So, it would be best to adequately care for your teeth to avoid tooth loss and increase your chances of living longer.
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