Keep Your Teeth: Simple Habits for Post-40 Dental Health

Akanksha Sharma

5. Stay Hydrated with Water

Smiling asian fitness girl drinks water, workout in park, stay hydrated during jogging training. Photo Credit: Envato @benzoix

Water is not only essential for overall health but also plays a crucial role in maintaining oral hygiene. Drinking water helps wash away food particles and bacteria, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It also stimulates saliva production, which is vital for neutralizing acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. After forty, staying hydrated becomes even more important as saliva production may decrease with age. Make it a habit to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially after meals, to help keep your mouth clean and your teeth well protected from potential harm.

6. Avoid Tobacco and Limit Alcohol

tobacco-pipe and heap of tobacco. Photo Credit: Envato @marylooo

Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are significant risk factors for tooth loss. Smoking can lead to gum disease by reducing blood flow to the gums and impairing the healing process. It also increases the risk of oral cancers, which can severely impact dental health. Similarly, alcohol can contribute to dry mouth and increase the likelihood of cavities and gum disease. After forty, it’s crucial to avoid tobacco and limit alcohol intake to protect your teeth and gums. By making these lifestyle changes, you reduce the risk of oral health issues and promote a healthier, longer-lasting smile.

BACK

(3 of 10)

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x600-long zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-bottom">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="7087745678"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-bottom', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
		gtag('event', 'conversion', {
			'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
			'value': 0.0,
			'currency': 'USD'
		});
    	console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
	}
	
    console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

OpenAI Playground 2025-05-13 at 10.55.45.png

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x280-sticky zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-sticky">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:280px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="9869999824"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-sticky', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
	  gtag('event', 'conversion', {
		'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
		'value': 0.0,
		'currency': 'USD'
	  });
	  console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
  	}

console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

5. Stay Hydrated with Water

6. Avoid Tobacco and Limit Alcohol

MORE FROM HealthPrep