I turned 40 in 1999.
On the time, I felt just about the identical as I did at 30. Possibly slightly slower on the tennis court docket, certain. However in any other case? Tremendous.
Wanting again now, I notice that’s when all the things began to shift—however the change was refined.
My gums began receding. My tooth grew to become extra delicate. Restoration from exercises took longer. Sleep grew to become extra elusive.
And I had a alternative: ignore it and hope for one of the best, or begin taking note of what my physique truly 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 possibly can’t simply get veneers or dentures at some point and name it good.
As a result of oral well being isn’t simply beauty. It’s systemic.
It displays your:
- Irritation ranges
- Cardiovascular danger
- 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 shield you. Others set off irritation, cavities, and illness.
After 40, that stability 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 all the things 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 stress, blood stream, and mitochondrial well being.
Much less nitric oxide = stiffer arteries, slower restoration, and growing old 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 every 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 properly for that reason.
- CoQ10 (this one) – Your gums, similar to all dwelling cells, comprise mitochondria. After 40, manufacturing drops (plummets on statins). Gum tissue will depend on 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 take up fewer vitamins from meals. I take advantage of 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 assist your nitrate-reducing oral micro organism to replenish nitric oxide. I take advantage of them earlier than exercises or within the night to assist blood stream and vascular tone.
2. Your Mouth Dries Out (Particularly at Evening)
Saliva neutralizes acid, delivers minerals, and balances your oral microbiome. With out it? Cavities explode.
I’ve seen it many instances: a cavity-free affected person hits 45 and all of a sudden 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 stream. My grandson does too (however at all times converse together with your pediatrician/myofunctional therapist/ENT if you happen to mouth tape youngsters)
- Chew xylitol gum after each meal (ideally one which’s microplastic-free) – Stimulates saliva, neutralizes pH, reduces cavity micro organism. 5g every day may scale 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 take advantage of an Oura ring) – Exhibits early indicators of respiratory disruption earlier than it cascades. I verify mine each morning.
- Tackle sleep apnea instantly – In the event you snore, a mandibular development system can maintain your airway open. Discover a supplier via the Useful Dentist Listing or AADSM.org.
Sleep is so vital that I wrote a complete e-book 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:
- Swap to a sonic toothbrush (I take advantage of 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 comprise surfactants that dry out the oral mucosa
- Take Omega-3 every day – Most People have an omega ratio of 20:1 when it needs to be 4:1. That drives irritation in every single place. I take 2-3g of EPA/DHA every 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 muscle tissue), 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 developed. I wasn’t taking C15:0 or NAC in 1999 (and I definitely 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 really like studying out of your experiences.
– Mark
P.S. In the event you’re over 40 and coping with cavities regardless of good hygiene, power gum irritation, sensitivity, or bleeding gums—please e-book a session with a dentist who’s pondering “massive image.” Discover one via the Useful Dentist Listing or on AADSM.org.
These points don’t resolve on their very own. However with the proper care, they’re completely manageable—and sometimes reversible.