At first thought, probably nothing. But, when you factor in the undeniably strong connection between oral health and overall health, the true answer to the question – what does dentistry have to do with longevity? – is everything.

Seeking wellness, seeking longevity

We’re all seeking greater wellness – be it through diet and exercise, holistic medicine or biohacking, or keeping our health in tip top shape – because we’re all seeking greater quality of life that is disease-free and, consequently, greater longevity. However, one of the most overlooked aspects of the longevity discussion right now is oral health, but it can no longer be overlooked. Why? Because not all dentistry is performed to gold standards and not all materials used are the best option. In addition, most dental treatments age and lose their effectiveness and some might be doing more harm than good at an immune level – this is what we call toxic dentistry. 

Toxicity and inflammation in the mouth can build and even worsen over time, without the patient feeling any symptoms or any significant pain. It also means that this inflammation and toxicity can be silently affecting the rest of the body and triggering other health issues. Health issues that many patients would never imagine are directly linked to their current oral health status. 

By enabling earlier detection, treating existing complex dental issues sooner rather than later, and personalising preventive care, dentistry can mitigate the risks of health issues that impact longevity.

The importance of Biological Dentistry 

That’s why practicing Biological Dentistry is so important – mouth and body are intrinsically connected and early detection and treatment of oral inflammation can boost systemic health. When we successfully connect the dots between oral health and general health we’ll be truly striving towards full-body wellness, sustainable living, and being the very best version of ourselves. Longevity included.

Life span vs. health span

At our dental clinic in Lisbon, we focus not just on oral health but also on longevity, lifespan and, more importantly health span, which means keeping you in your best shape possible for as long as possible.

According to a National Geographic article, health span is just as important as life span, maybe even more so. Longevity researchers are focused on improving the number of disease-free years we live (health span), aiming for compression of morbidity – where if we are in fact facing disease, we are only sick for a very small time period of our life. The complete opposite of what is occurring today, with many people enduring mysterious symptoms, and debilitating physical and mental health conditions that can compromise quality of life for decades.

How to boost health span?

Through lifestyle habits that we are acutely aware of and simply need to implement or reinforce once and for all: great nutrition, consistent exercise, restful sleep and social connectivity. But, that’s not all. Increasing health span is also about prevention. 

By being acutely aware of our body and any signals it may be continuously alerting us to, by checking in with our oral health status, alongside staying alert to general health by testing our hormones, vitamin deficiencies, and blood sugar. Here at the White Clinic, we know that the mouth-body connection has a powerful role in overall wellness and, consequently, strengthening oral health means boosting general health. And when our health span is strengthened, so is our life span.