Neglecting your gums
The link between our gum health and overall health is strong, says Luu, which is why it’s so vital to brush and floss regularly – particularly as we age and decreased mobility or vision changes can affect how well we care for our mouths. “Gum disease can cause ongoing inflammation, and there’s some evidence that bacteria from the gums may get into the bloodstream and potentially even contribute to heart attacks. There’s growing evidence that the better oral health someone has, the better their overall health tends to be, and the lower their risk of heart disease. This is why it’s so important to not only brush and floss regularly, but to see your dentist, too.”
Smoking
If you’re still within the 10 per cent of the adult UK population who still smoke, it’s absolutely worth stopping, no matter your age, says Luu. “Many people think that if they smoke for years or even decades, the damage is done. And while smoking certainly increases our risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, it’s never too late to stop. The respiratory system is constantly making new cells, and stopping rapidly allows the body to start healing and replacing those damaged cells. At any age, there’s good evidence that quitting could add years to your life.”
Drinking too much
When it comes to alcohol, it’s definitely a case of the less, the better, says Luu. “Weekend binge drinking particularly can acutely damage the liver, ruin sleep and make it harder for your body to recover,” he explains. “Heavy alcohol use raises the risk of several major diseases, including liver disease, heart disease, cancer, gastrointestinal disease, depression and dementia.” But there’s hope. “Even in people with severe alcohol use disorder, cutting back or eliminating alcohol has wide-ranging mental and physical health benefits, so it’s still absolutely worth doing,” he says. Heavy drinkers, though, should be careful about cutting “cold turkey”, withdrawal can be life-threatening.
