Spotlight For better oral health, start with these 5 steps for daily dental care Matthew Solan Harvard Health Publishing Jan 4, 2026 Jan 4, 2026 Updated Apr 9, 2026 0 1 of 2 Adobe Stock Adobe Stock Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Matthew Solan Harvard Health Publishing One of the best things you can do for your overall health as you age is a daily routine you've followed since childhood.kAmQ|2:?E2:?:?8 8@@5 56?E2= 962=E9 ?@E @?=J AC@E64ED 282:?DE 8F> 5:D62D6 3FE 2=D@ 96=AD H2C5 @77 >2?J @E96C 286\C6=2E65 5:D62D6D[Q D2JD sC] {6@?2C5 qC6??2?[ 4@\5:C64E@C @7 E96 w2CG2C5 $49@@= @7 s6?E2= |65:4:?6VD v6C:2EC:4 u6==@HD9:A !C@8C2>] Qv@@5 @C2= 962=E9 96=AD J@F 6?;@J =:76 3J 2==@H:?8 J@F E@ 496H[ E2DE6[ DH2==@H[ DA62<[ 2?5 D>:=6] %96 492?46D 2C6 :? J@FC 72G@C E92E J@F 42? <66A J@FC E66E9 7@C 2 =:76E:>6 :7 J@F >2:?E2:? J@FC @C2= 962=E9]Qk^AmkAm%96 >@DE 4@>>@? 7@C> @7 8F> 5:D62D6 :D 8:?8:G:E:D[ @C 8F> :?7=2>>2E:@?] xE 368:?D H96? 324E6C:2 3F:=5FA :? 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J@FC @G6C2== @C2= 962=E9]k^Am kAmQx7 J@FC E66E9 2?5 8F>D 2C6 962=E9J 2?5 J@F 5@?VE 92G6 :DDF6D[ J@F 42? @7E6? DEC6E49 @FE 56?E2= 6I2>D E@ @?46 2 J62C[Q D2JD sC] {6@?2C5 qC6??2?[ 4@\5:C64E@C @7 E96 w2CG2C5 $49@@= @7 s6?E2= |65:4:?6VD v6C:2EC:4 u6==@HD9:A !C@8C2>] Q%96 :562= :?E6CG2= 7@C C@FE:?6 56?E2= 6I2>D :D ?@E 4=62C 4FE 2?5 56A6?5D @? E96 56?E2= 2?5 >65:42= 962=E9 @7 6249 A2E:6?E]Qk^Amk^2D:56m 0 Comments Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story How to keep children safe from accidental medicine poisoning About 50,000 children under 5 go to ERs each year after swallowing medicine unintentionally. At-home STD tests offer new options for screening and treatment New options for testing and treating some of the most common sexually transmitted diseases are becoming available, a trend that experts hope w… What can you do to maintain exercise motivation? If lack of motivation usually derails your exercise routine, here are some ways to get back on track. Flu is rising rapidly, driven by a new variant. Here's what to know It's far too soon to know if this flu season will be as severe as last winter's. However, it's not too late to get a flu shot. Dallas implant designer channels artistic talent to repair mangled skulls and jaws Nancy Hairston is refocusing her artistic and tech know-how to reconstruct skulls and faces disfigured by major surgeries, gunshots, car accid…
How to keep children safe from accidental medicine poisoning About 50,000 children under 5 go to ERs each year after swallowing medicine unintentionally.
At-home STD tests offer new options for screening and treatment New options for testing and treating some of the most common sexually transmitted diseases are becoming available, a trend that experts hope w…
What can you do to maintain exercise motivation? If lack of motivation usually derails your exercise routine, here are some ways to get back on track.
Flu is rising rapidly, driven by a new variant. Here's what to know It's far too soon to know if this flu season will be as severe as last winter's. However, it's not too late to get a flu shot.
Dallas implant designer channels artistic talent to repair mangled skulls and jaws Nancy Hairston is refocusing her artistic and tech know-how to reconstruct skulls and faces disfigured by major surgeries, gunshots, car accid…