Banish bad breath
A Listerine ad from the 1950s claimed bad breath can damage a happy marriage. Thankfully, we now know that bad breath is one of those subtle signs that you are not living as young as you could and you may be speeding up your chances of developing chronic conditions that put a damper on health, happiness -- and longevity.
Research shows bad breath can be caused by everything from drinking coffee and snoring to dehydration, gum disease, acid reflux, ulcers, and certain medications, including antihistamines and antidepressants, and in some instances, by advanced liver or kidney diseases.
If you're plagued, the place to start is with daily flossing (consider a water-powered flosser), along with brushing twice a day. If that doesn't do the trick, see your dentist to check for gum disease. And make an appointment with your primary care physician to explore whether medications are causing the problem or if you have an undiagnosed condition (sleep apnea, ulcers, GERD, or even diabetes) that's the culprit.
Other seemingly "minor" red flags that can signal health problems include poor skin quality, a slowed-down walking speed, trouble climbing stairs, and loss of hand strength. At any age, they could be signs of joint, lung and/or heart issues that need to be addressed. Luckily, when caught early, such challenges can be controlled or reversed. To discover how to do that, "The Great Age Reboot" and LongevityPlaybook.com offer in-depth info on how you can take charge of your future by taking steps to improve your well-being today.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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