A Listerine ad from the 1950s claimed bad breath can damage a happy marriage. Maybe that was true then, but we now know that bad breath is one of the subtle signs that you’re not living as young as you could, and you may be speeding your chances of developing chronic conditions that put a damper on health, happiness, and longevity.

Research shows that bad breath can be caused by everything from drinking coffee and snoring to dehydration, gum disease, acid reflux, ulcers, and certain medications including antihistamines and antidepressants, as well as (in some instances) by advanced liver or kidney diseases.

If you're plagued with bad breath, the place to start is with daily flossing (consider a water-powered flosser), along with brushing twice a day. If that doesn't do the trick, see your dentist to check for gum disease.

And make an appointment with your primary care physician to explore whether medications you take are causing the problem, or if you have an undiagnosed condition (sleep apnea, ulcers, GERD, or even diabetes) that is the culprit.

Other seemingly "minor" red flags that can signal health problems include poor skin quality, reduced walking speed, trouble climbing stairs, and loss of hand strength. At any age, they could be signs of joint, lung, and/or heart issues that need to be addressed.

Luckily, when caught early such challenges can be controlled or reversed. To discover how to do that, "The Great Age Reboot" and LongevityPlaybook.com offer in-depth information on how you can take charge of your future by taking steps to improve your well-being today.