11:09 AM PST on Tuesday, March 22, 2005

By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News

KING

Your teeth are made to last a lifetime. What causes them to fall out is decay and periodontal disease.

“For example, as a person is getting older they have a tendency to get root decay and if we don't catch it when its small, it can devastate the mouth even in a six-month to one-year period,” said dentist Dr. Rhonda Savage.

If fear and anxiety prevent you from getting regular dental checkups, relax. Many offices now have nitrous oxide oxygen to put you at ease.

Cosmetically, teeth straightening and whitening can take years off of your appearance. It normally can be done naturally so that the patient doesn't look artificially young.

Smiles can also be enhanced, on the outside, with a new cosmetic filler, called Restylane.

“It’s ideal for the smile lines, the marionette lines, the corners of the mouth as they start to droop downwards and it's very good for pumping up the lips and helping the lines around the mouth,” said Dr. Ulrike Ochs at Virginia Mason.

KING

Bleaching teeth can give a more youthful appearance.

Unlike collagen, Restylane is all natural, so there's little risk of an allergic reaction. The gel-like substance lasts a little longer, from six to nine months.

For the entire face, Thermage is the latest rage. It's nicknamed the "lunchtime lift" because it's fast and nearly painless. There's no nip or tuck. Heat, along with radio frequency energy, shrinks the deep tissue of Marilyn Wilson's skin immediately.

For maximum results, it takes three to six months. Eight months after her first treatment, Wilson said she was satisfied with the results.

“People who haven't seen me particularly for a few months say: ‘Marilyn, you look fantastic,’” she said.

The best way, by far, to prevent wrinkles is to keep out of the sun. The sun's burning rays can age the skin by as much as 85 percent. Plus, there's the increased risk of skin cancer.

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'Before' and 'after' the Thermage treatment

So when outdoors, cover up and slather on the sunscreen. It’s the best thing you can do for your skin all your life.

Early detection halts disease

A hundred years ago the leading causes of death in the United States were influenza, diarrhea and pneumonia. Now, it’s heart disease, cancer and stroke.

But, these diseases can be prevented with early detection.

For breast cancer, it begins with a self-exam every month. Age 20 is not too young to start.

After the age of 35, yearly mammograms are recommended. Then, if you still think you might have a problem, get an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

It's a breakthrough in finding cancer early because it allows doctors to see the breast in 3-D.

“It's like putting on glasses and being able to see the world for the first time,” said Dr. Connie Lehmann at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. “We're seeing in the breast tissue at a level we've never been able to before.”

For your heart, prevention begins by evaluating risk factors. Know your family history and keep track of your blood pressure.

When blood pressure gets too high, it drastically increases the chance of heart attack, heart failure and stroke. The optimal level is less than 120 over 80.

High cholesterol can also be a warning sign for future heart problems. Getting it checked is simple. All it takes is a few drops of blood to determine how much "good" and "bad" cholesterol is flowing through your arteries.

A baseline EKG is also recommended to see if the heart is beating as it should.

KING

Nancy and Archie Kelly have been married 60 years.

Close relationships

If your heart goes "pitter pat" because you're in love, that's a good thing.

“It's really clear -- men in a loving relationship are much healthier than men who are single or don't have a loving relationship,” said Dr. Joe Pizzorno of Bastyr University.

Studies show both married men and women reduce their risk of illness, accidents and early death by up to 50 percent.

Nancy and Archie Kelly from Renton have a securely tied knot. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

In sickness and in health, laughter sustains them.

“If you can't laugh, forget it,” Archie said.

“You just keep trucking and laugh about it because there's no sense in getting serious,” Nancy said.

Vet group stays active

Friends are also vital for enhancing mental and physical abilities. If you need proof, just spend a Friday evening at the Nisei Vets hall on King Street in downtown Seattle.

KING

At the Nisei Vets hall, a group meets every week for socializing and exercise.

They started in their 50s and 60s and have been meeting every week to play an original form of pickle - volleyball.

Now in their 70s and 80s, their reflexes are still sharp and their spirits still high.

“We laugh a lot,”said Yoshi. “We laugh because we hit and miss.”

“And we laugh at each other's mistakes,” said Paul.

On and off the court they've supported each other over the past 22 years.

Their Friday night games keep them young at heart.

“I'm not too good in health but I think being with the group and enjoying ourselves has prolonged the life span,” said 82-year-old Paul Minato.