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Dental Health Archive

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The senior's guide to dental care

Good dental health protects against not only gum disease, gum inflammation, and tooth loss but also many other age-related diseases. Like other aspects of health care, prevention is the best medicine when it comes to your teeth and gums. People should see their dentist every six months for check-ups, x-rays as needed, and cleanings. In between, they should follow a daily dental hygiene routine of rinsing, brushing, and flossing to help reduce plaque buildup, gingivitis, and cavities.

Rinse, brush, floss, scrape, and repeat

Maintaining good dental health protects against not only gum disease but also helps ward off many other age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia. The most common form of gum disease is gingivitis, which begins when bacteria buildup in the mouth causes plaque and tartar to form on teeth and can lead to tooth decay. Because regular dental care can be expensive, daily self-care is the best preventive medicine. A proper dental routine consists of five steps: rinsing, brushing, flossing, tongue scraping, and another rinse.

Melatonin or magnesium: Can either supplement help you sleep?

People who have trouble sleeping may take dietary supplements to ease their insomnia. Melatonin and magnesium, two popular sleep supplements, work in different ways and have varying levels of scientific support.

What are the health risks of aluminum exposure?

From cookware to deodorant, aluminum is everywhere. Most people clear it efficiently from their bodies.

What are the risks of an Rh mismatch in a transfusion?

Blood type compatibility matters during transfusions, and an Rh mismatch can create risks that may not appear immediately.

What does a killed virus mean in a vaccine?

Vaccines can contain different forms of viruses, and the choice may affect how your immune system responds and which vaccine is right for you.

When is treatment needed for high uric acid?

High uric acid doesn’t always mean daily treatment. Several factors, including gout symptoms and kidney health, can help guide the next step.

What should you know about atrial fibrillation without heart disease?

A new heart rhythm diagnosis can be unsettling, even when other tests look normal. Find out what to discuss with your doctor next.

Men might be more likely than women to rely on their doctors when making health care decisions

A 2026 analysis indicated that among adults ages 50 and older, men were more inclined than women to rely on medical professionals when making health care decisions and less likely to put quality of life ahead of simply living longer.

Body odor: How it changes — and how to improve it

Every person smells a little different, due to genetics, hygiene habits, and the skin’s microbiome (the microbes that naturally live on the skin), but body odor occurs when someone’s scent becomes foul. It is most noticeable when people are sweating, but body odor changes sometimes signal certain health conditions.

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