8. Avoiding Your Dentist
Aside from the fact that your dental health is directly related to overall wellness, taking proper care of your chompers will help keep you from losing them altogether.
Also, gum disease, which occurs if you don’t take care of your oral health, is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even rheumatoid arthritis (13).
Another little-known fact: fillings aren’t designed to last forever. Resin fillings last up to 10 years, silver as long as 20 years. This means that any filings you got as a teenager and in your 20s are likely not able to prevent further tooth decay.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with remineralizing toothpaste, avoid acidic foods, and be aware of any changes that could point to bigger problems.
9. Forgetting Eye Exams
If you wear glasses or contacts, you’re probably used to seeing the optometrist regularly. But, even if you have perfect vision or haven’t needed an updated prescription in a while, you still need to get checked out.
Detecting vision changes and eye problems early will be critical to preserving your eyesight as you age. The odds of developing macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy all increase after the age of 40 (14). Luckily, the earlier these conditions are caught and diagnosed, the more treatable they are.