am male, 86 years old, 5 feet 8inches tall and weigh 148 pounds. i do not have an ache or pain and the only medication i take if lipitor. i play golf 3 times a week and my handicap is an honest 18. i say this not to brag but only to tell you that i attribute my good health to advise my dentist gave me 50 years ago. he told me because the mouth is the dirtiest area of the body it will be responsible for most germs entering the bloodstream which will make me sick. he said i can prevent that by having healthy gums that do not bleed. if the gums do not bleed there is no way the germs can enter the bloodstream through the mouth. to get healthy gums i should get an electric toothbrush and after brushing my teeth massage the gums with the brush for as long as it took me to brush my teeth. this will keep the gums healthy and will stop the bleeding. i have done this for the last 50 years and attribute it to my good healthView Thread