Skin & oral health

Skin and teeth are where ageing shows first, and where a few minutes a day make a visible difference over decades. They're also more closely connected to the rest of your health than most people realise.

Skin

The sun does most of the damage. Ultraviolet light is the main driver of visible skin ageing (wrinkles, pigmentation and loss of elasticity) as well as skin cancer. One study attributed around 80% of visible facial ageing signs to UV exposure.

Daily sunscreen works. In an Australian randomised trial, adults who applied sunscreen every day showed no detectable increase in skin ageing over four and a half years, and were 24% less likely to show increased ageing than those who used it only when they chose to. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on your face, neck and hands every day, and reapply when you're outdoors for long periods.

Retinoids have the best evidence of any topical product for improving sun-related skin ageing. Prescription tretinoin is the most studied; over-the-counter retinol is gentler and weaker. Start slowly, use at night, and always use sunscreen alongside. Not for use in pregnancy.

Keep it simple. A gentle cleanser, a moisturiser, sunscreen and, if you want one active ingredient, a retinoid. Everything beyond that is optional.

Your habits show on your skin. Smoking accelerates skin ageing dramatically. Poor sleep, a high-sugar diet and alcohol show up too.

Check your moles. Once a month, look for any mole that's new, changing, or looks different from the others. The ABCDE guide: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, uneven Colour, Diameter over 6 mm, Evolving. See a doctor about anything that changes.

Oral health

Your mouth is connected to your heart. Gum disease (periodontitis) is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and in some studies dementia. Chronic inflammation is the likely link. Treating gum disease has been shown to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes.

Gum disease is common and often painless. Bleeding when you brush is the most common early sign. It isn't normal, and at that stage it's reversible.

The routine:

• Brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Spit, don't rinse, so the fluoride stays on your teeth.
• Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes. A toothbrush misses around a third of the tooth surface.
• See a dentist or hygienist every 6–12 months.

Watch the frequency of sugar and acid. Frequent sugary snacks and acidic drinks do more harm than the total amount. After something acidic, wait 30 minutes before brushing.

Key numbers
SPF 30+: every day, on face, neck and hands.
2 × 2 minutes: brushing, with fluoride.
6–12 months: between dental check-ups.

This week

• Put sunscreen next to your toothbrush and use it every morning.
• Buy interdental brushes or floss and use them every night.
• Book a dental check-up if it's been more than a year.

Sources: Hughes et al., Annals of Internal Medicine 2013 · Flament et al., Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2013 · Mukherjee et al., Clinical Interventions in Aging 2006 · Sanz et al., Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2020