Brush carefully, clean between teeth daily, and replace missing teeth promptly
Daily interdental cleaning was associated with about 10% lower mortality. Older people with no teeth had roughly 90% higher mortality odds; those with fewer than 20 teeth had about double the odds.
What it takes
In China, floss or interdental brushes cost a few dozen renminbi yearly, and professional cleaning roughly RMB 100–200 per visit. Allow an extra 2–3 minutes daily and build the habit.
What you may gain
A Japanese study followed 9,676 people for 6 years. Interdental-cleaning-tool use was associated with 11% lower mortality (risk ratio 0.89), and tongue-cleaning-tool use with 23% lower mortality (0.77). A meta-analysis of community-dwelling older adults found mortality odds ratios of 1.87 for complete tooth loss (95% CI 1.35–2.59) and 2.04 for fewer than 20 teeth (1.67–2.49).
Context & considerations
Causation is uncertain. Poor oral health often accompanies poorer general health and finances, so the direction is unclear. Nevertheless, these habits cost very little, and periodontal disease and missing teeth directly interfere with eating.
Research & references
Wang K, Matsuyama Y, Kiuchi S, et al. (2026). Routine oral health practices and all-cause mortality. Journal of Dentistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106789 ; Ko MJ, Seo S, So JS, et al. (2026). Deteriorated oral health and function as risk factors for physical disability and mortality in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Geriatric Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-025-01319-4