I turned 40 in 1999.
On the time, I felt just about the identical as I did at 30. Perhaps a bit slower on the tennis courtroom, certain. However in any other case? Superb.
Trying again now, I understand that’s when every thing began to shift—however the change was refined.
My gums began receding. My tooth turned extra delicate. Restoration from exercises took longer. Sleep turned extra elusive.
And I had a alternative: ignore it and hope for the most effective, or begin listening to what my physique really wanted.
I selected the latter. I listened to my physique. I adjusted. I experimented. And now, at 66, I’ve acquired extra vitality than I did at 40. And it’s made all of the distinction.
You’ll be able to’t simply get veneers or dentures sooner or later and name it good.
As a result of oral well being isn’t simply beauty. It’s systemic.
It displays your:
- Irritation ranges
- Cardiovascular threat
- Sleep high quality
- Metabolic well being
- Mind resilience
And the shift normally begins round 40.
What shifts after 40? Three main issues:
1. Your Oral Microbiome Shifts—And Takes Your Well being With It
Your mouth hosts over 700 species of micro organism. Some defend you. Others set off irritation, cavities, and illness.
After 40, that steadiness begins to shift. Why?
- Saliva manufacturing drops
- Mouth respiratory turns into extra widespread
- Antibiotic use
- Antiseptic mouthwash wipes out good micro organism
This microbial imbalance isn’t nearly your tooth. It fuels systemic irritation—which accelerates every thing from mind fog to cardiovascular decline.
One vital loss: nitrate-reducing micro organism. These bugs assist your physique convert dietary nitrate into nitric oxide—a molecule important for blood strain, blood circulate, and mitochondrial well being.
Much less nitric oxide = stiffer arteries, slower restoration, and growing older that hits more durable.
What I Do About It:
- By no means use antiseptic mouthwash – Not Listerine, not peroxide, not important oil rinses. They destroy your microbiome.
- Tongue scrape day by day (I like to recommend chrome steel like this one) – Removes biofilm with out disrupting good micro organism.
- Vitamin D3 + K2 (this one) – D3 helps immune perform and gum tissue, K2 directs calcium to bones and tooth as an alternative of arteries. I by no means take D3 with out K2 as effectively for that reason.
- CoQ10 (this one) – Your gums, identical to all dwelling cells, include mitochondria. After 40, manufacturing drops (plummets on statins). Gum tissue depends upon wholesome mitochondrial perform, particularly throughout irritation and therapeutic.
- Turmeric (this one) – I take mine with breakfast—eggs and olive oil—or with dinner, at all times alongside fats for higher absorption. Makes certain you are taking one which consists of curcumin plus piperine, and that it’s third-party examined for purity. (Learn my previous publication on turmeric right here)
- Digestive Enzymes (these ones) – After 40, you soak up fewer vitamins from meals. I exploit a broad-spectrum enzyme with meals to enhance mineral uptake—for bones, tooth, and gums.
- Glycine + NAC (this powder) – These amino acids are precursors to glutathione, your physique’s grasp antioxidant. I stir them into water each morning.
- Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) (this one) – This odd-chain saturated fats helps cell membrane integrity and helps modulate irritation. It’s rising science, however I discover it promising.
- Nitric oxide mints (these ones) — These help your nitrate-reducing oral micro organism to replenish nitric oxide. I exploit them earlier than exercises or within the night to help blood circulate and vascular tone.
2. Your Mouth Dries Out (Particularly at Night time)
Saliva neutralizes acid, delivers minerals, and balances your oral microbiome. With out it? Cavities explode.
I’ve seen it many occasions: a cavity-free affected person hits 45 and abruptly will get 4–5 new ones. Nearly at all times tied to mouth respiratory, loud night breathing, or dry mouth at evening.
What I Do About It:
- Mouth tape each evening – Maintains nasal respiratory and protects saliva circulate. My grandson does too (however at all times communicate along with your pediatrician/myofunctional therapist/ENT should you mouth tape youngsters)
- Chew xylitol gum after each meal (ideally one which’s microplastic-free) – Stimulates saliva, neutralizes pH, reduces cavity micro organism. 5g day by day might cut back cavities by as much as 70%.
- Take magnesium (this one) – Helps salivary gland perform, deep sleep, and helps your physique use vitamin D.
- Observe your sleep (I exploit an Oura ring) – Reveals early indicators of respiratory disruption earlier than it cascades. I test mine each morning.
- Handle sleep apnea instantly – If you happen to snore, a mandibular development system can hold your airway open. Discover a supplier via the Practical Dentist Listing or AADSM.org.
Sleep is so vital that I wrote a complete ebook on it—The 8-Hour Sleep Paradox. It connects the dots between sleep, respiratory, and longevity.
3. Your Gums Begin Receding (And Bleeding Extra Simply)
Why it occurs after 40:
- Collagen manufacturing drops
- Irritation will increase (particularly throughout perimenopause)
- Your immune system slows down
- Dry mouth turns into extra widespread
What I Do About It:
- Change to a sonic toothbrush (I exploit this one) – Sonic brushes attain uncovered root surfaces higher and are gentler on receding gums than oscillating brushes. Solely purchase real Sonicare heads—knock-offs can harm enamel.
- Use nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste (this one) which doesn’t include surfactants that dry out the oral mucosa
- Take Omega-3 day by day – Most Individuals have an omega ratio of 20:1 when it must be 4:1. That drives irritation in all places. I take 2-3g of EPA/DHA day by day.
- Add collagen peptides (grass-fed) – Helps the connective tissue in your gums and the ligaments holding your tooth.
- Creatine monohydrate (I take this one) – Helps gum therapeutic, muscle power (together with jaw muscular tissues), and mind vitality metabolism. Manufacturing declines after 40—particularly in ladies and low-meat diets.
Bear in mind: you can not out-brush or out-floss these issues.
They’re not hygiene points. They’re metabolic, dietary, and systemic points that occur to indicate up in your mouth first.
The science has advanced. I wasn’t taking C15:0 or NAC in 1999 (and I actually wasn’t utilizing a microbiome-friendly toothpaste—it merely didn’t exist), as a result of we didn’t know what we all know now.
However that’s the fantastic thing about the knowledge that comes with age (if we’re so lucky): we all know higher, so we do higher.
What adjustments have you ever observed in your mouth after 40? Hit reply—I like studying out of your experiences.
– Mark
P.S. If you happen to’re over 40 and coping with cavities regardless of good hygiene, power gum irritation, sensitivity, or bleeding gums—please ebook a session with a dentist who’s pondering “large image.” Discover one via the Practical Dentist Listing or on AADSM.org.
These points don’t resolve on their very own. However with the fitting care, they’re completely manageable—and sometimes reversible.