Recommendation #2

Pay particular attention to your teeth and gums

One of the most frightening memories from my childhood is of visits to the dentist. As I write this, an image pops up of a long, dark staircase leading upward to a room where I was going to feel pain. From early on, “cavity” was a vocabulary word that was personal. This was back in the 1940’s. By the time our children came along, there were pediatric dentists. Too late for me…so my teeth have been expensive to maintain. Fortunately, I have found a kind, gentle periodontist, dental hygienist, and dentist to reduce the anxiety I still feel.

This article by Richard Sima has special relevance for me and, I hope. for some of you. He points out that “Emerging evidence suggests that what goes on in our mouth can affect what goes on in our brain — and may even potentially affect our risk for dementia.” One of the suspects in this is chronic inflammation, a topic that will show up again when I bring you tip #5.

One of the members of our Facebook group, Dr. SD Shanti, is a rare combination of psychologist and dentist. She provides dental education to professionals, teaching them better communication with patients to reduce dental fears. Soon she will be offering services directly to people with dental anxiety and phobias in California. S.D., you are much needed!

I also want you to know that SD has been working in the field of violence prevention, especially against women, for many years.

Lynne
Co-founder Ageless Mind Project

Richard Sima’s full article is available only to subscribers, but since WP costs only $4 a month, you might want to subscribe. I like to support good journalism.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/.../teeth-gums-oral.../

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