Gum health with A-Rod

A Q&A with Alex Rodriguez, plus oral health products and teeth remineralization tips.

IN a nutshell Welcome back to another Friday edition of Wellness Wire, everyone! Before we jump into the weekend, we're sharing tips on how to take better care of your oral health. Today's Q&A guest is former Major League Baseball (MLB) player and New York Yankees shortstop Alex Rodriguez who spoke with us about his journey with gum disease. Batter up! These are the other topics on the starting lineup: • Effortless gum care with this electric flosser and water flosser • How to start remineralizing your teeth • Wisdom teeth removal surgery FAQs • 12 healthy, iron-rich foods Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota July 7, 2023 • 4.5 min read

After a recent routine visit with his dentist, former MLB player Alex Rodriguez (aka A-Rod) discovered that he's one of the 47% of U.S. adults over 30 years old who live with gum disease. We scored the chance to chat with A-Rod about his oral health and how you can prevent and treat gum disease. *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: What was it like finding out that you have gum disease? A: I was honestly surprised. I take good care of my teeth — brushing and flossing daily … I think there's this notion that we think that if you chew tobacco, eat sunflower seeds, or [chew] gum, which are all things synonymous with baseball players, [that must be the cause but] that's not true; it can happen to anybody. Q: You recently teamed up with OraPharma and its Cover Your Bases campaign, which includes educational content about gum disease and encourages people to talk with their dentist about comprehensive treatment options. Can you talk about this partnership? A: I have it, so it's very genuine … We wish we could always be talking about a campaign that focuses on you looking great and [having] shredded abs, but that's not the case with me, and this is something that's real. I went to the dentist and just like any American out there — any size, any shape, any gender –– this can happen to any single one of us, and hopefully I can use my platform for the greater good. I'm [currently] using [it] to let all my followers, fans, viewers, and non-followers know that gum disease is something to consider, and sooner rather than later. Q: How do you feel about receiving this diagnosis? And what do you want others to know about how to prevent and treat gum disease? A: I'm happy that I detected it early. I wish I would have known even earlier [now that I know] it's prevalent in my community, Latinos, and Black and brown [people]. Anything with the word "disease" on it you're like, "Oh boy, this is scary." The good news is it's treatable, and your dentist will have a lot more information. Read the full story on Healthline.com, and scroll down to the end of this email to rate this interview!

great finds Editor faves with health perks       Philips Sonicare Cordless Water Flosser 3000 Affordable, efficient, and convenient, this water flosser features four water jets, two modes, and three intensity settings for highly targeted gum care. *Philips Sonicare provided this product for free. SHOP NOW     Flaus Electric Flosser Starter Kit Tired of manually flossing? Same. This electric flosser has saved me valuable time and energy while effortlessly cleaning between my teeth every day. *Flaus provided this product for free. SHOP NOW   Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.

Weird Science Goodbye, demineralization. Hello, remineralization! Demineralization, defined. We constantly wear down our teeth and deplete their protective minerals as we age. This process is called demineralization. What can cause it? The bacteria in our mouths feed on what we eat and drink and create an acid that dissolves the calcium phosphate in our tooth enamel. Candy, cereal, soda, and even alcohol can fuel tooth erosion. Too much mineral loss can lead to irreversible issues (that can only be fixed by tooth replacement), so you'll want to act before it's too late. Not to fear! You can start making lifestyle and dietary changes today to remineralize your teeth and add back those strengthening elements. Remineralization tips. For starters, try limiting your intake of sugary, acidic, or starchy foods and drinks to reduce enamel decay. You can also consider increasing the amount of calcium and vitamins in your diet or talking with your doctor or dentist about supplementation. Then there's ol' faithful: Daily toothbrushing with fluoride or hydroxyapatite toothpaste helps remove bacteria buildup and keep your teeth in tip-top shape. For more advice and insight, read our full article. Read more about dental health: 10 ways to stop demineralization and start remineralization 7 foods that may damage your teeth How a calcium deficiency can affect your teeth

health stories you need What we're reading next 🦷 Wisdom teeth removal surgery FAQs. Learn how long it takes to recover, which foods and drinks to avoid, and other commonly asked questions about the wisdom teeth removal process. 🦪 12 healthy foods that are high in iron. Avoid being deficient in this key nutrient and help your body function by adding shellfish, spinach, and the rest of these iron-rich foods to your diet. 😊 How to increase serotonin. Naturally regulate and lift your mood by boosting your serotonin levels with these six science-backed strategies. ⏰ What's the best time to exercise? Read what the research has to say about whether you should wake up at the crack of dawn or hit the gym at night to score the best workout.

Thanks for reading! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. We'll see you again on Monday.

Did you enjoy this interview?

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by flossing, washing, and brushing.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001