Preventing a heart attack by taking good care of our mouth and teeth is very important and easy. Cavities in the tooth root are more common as gum tissue begins to recede in older adults, exposing the tooth root surface to decay. Also, dry mouth resulting from the natural aging process and certain medications and diseases can lead to more tooth decay. Without an adequate amount of saliva, food particles can’t be washed away and the acids produced by plaque can’t be neutralized.

The lymphatic drainage from our teeth goes right to the heart easily, causing many health issues, including a heart attack. Remembering to stay off sweets, floss daily and invest in a water pick and electric toothbrush can save our teeth, our gums and our life.

Cavities can be more frequent in older adults for a number of other reasons. They may not have been exposed in childhood to fluoride in community water supplies and toothpaste and adults are likelier to have decay around older fillings. Using a high-quality, non-fluoridated toothpaste is recommended by naturopaths.

DeeAnn G. Saber, NMD, is part of WellnessFirst!, a collaborative, holistic community of practitioners dedicated to personal integrity, professionalism and service. For more information and appointments, call 520-209-1755, email [email protected] or visit 3861WellnessFirst.com. See ad page 24.