TEETH MATTER MORE TO BOOMERS. HERE’S WHY

Teeth matter because oral health is so important.

Google ‘oral health heart risk’ if you want more proof than some blogger spewing online.

Better yet, and what sets me apart from your average dipstick, I’ll do it for you.

Here to help:

The Mayo Clinic asks if oral health matters in heart disease prevention. I think they have an answer.

Harvard Health traces the line from gum disease to the heart. And you thought bad breath was a problem?

The American Heart Association says, “Bad toothbrushing habits tied to higher heart risk.”

For married people, and people living together who see each other close up, there’s a greater authority on oral hygiene: the other person looking at your grill.

Take my wife. Please. (Courtesy of Henny Youngman.)

Teeth Matter More When Someone Else Looks At Them

If you live with a health professional, you know this is true: You live under a microscope.

“What’s this? What’s that? How long has thing been going on? You need to get that checked.”

I’m not complaining here. My wife noticed something odd happening on my neck, luckily for me. I’ve said she’s saved my life in one sense or another before, but this time it was no exaggeration.

If you read this blog occasionally, you know the story.

So there we were, engaged in a deep meaningful conversation about who looked fat in which pants, or something less important, and she stopped and stared at me.

“You’ve got open decay on your tooth and gum disease. Why are you letting your teeth rot out of your mouth. Your face is going to cave in without teeth. When did you last see a dentist? How long?” she said.

Let me tell you, she ruined the mood. I didn’t tell her I’d just eaten a handful of blueberries, which must have looked like tooth decay and gum rot.

In what felt like a miracle of modern scheduling, I called my kid’s dentist and got in the next day. They followed strict covid pandemic guidelines all the way through. One of the best experiences in the chair I’ve had.

After the pictures, x-rays, cleaning, the works, I asked about the big issues I brought with me.

Did I have an open cavity? Gum disease? What should I keep an eye out for?

I had the grand total of no cavities, no gum disease, and keep up with the excellent home care I’ve been doing.

With that news, I rushed home to tell my wife

Teeth matter more while they’re still in your mouth.

They still matter if you keep them in a cup beside the bed, but not as much.

I know a sharp woman who dated a man with no teeth, and no false teeth. She didn’t know for the first year, and didn’t care after that.

My dad had what’s called a bridge that he used to stick out at us kids for a good scare.

See a dentist if it’s been awhile. It’s more than teeth that get checked. They see things in your mouth that you don’t; things on your teeth, things on your neck.

If you get a haircut and a shave and a shoeshine at the dentist office, you’ve traveled back in time, but not too far. Today you’ll get specific tasks done to keep a healthy mouth. Because teeth matter.

If you get an all-clear after a dental check-up be sure and text your loved one a picture from the parking lot. Take a few practice shots and don’t eat a handful of blueberries first.

Mmmm mmmm, feels so good.

Why do teeth matter more to baby boomers?

Because the Me Generation is lucky to have any left after this:

There’s a whole new way of livin’
Pepsi helps supply the drive.
It’s got a lot to give
for those who like to live
‘Cause Pepsi helps them
come alive.

It’s the Pepsi Generation
Comin’ at ya,
goin’ strong…
Put yourself behind a Pepsi
When you’re livin… 
you belong…

You’ve got a lot to live…
and Pepsi’s got a lot to give…

Have you got something to smile about? Share it in comments.