Flossing only takes a few minutes every day, and is a critical step to keeping your teeth and gums clean. It is a oral hygiene step that is often forgotten or skipped… but it is a small, simple step that can have huge implications for your long-term health. Here are three reasons to start flossing!
1) Flossing helps protect your Gums
Floss can get into the space between the teeth and gums, removing food and plaque that a toothbrush or mouthwash cannot remove. Tiny particles of food can get lodged in between teeth… Plaque in this area will harden over time to form tartar. Tartar buildup can lead to gum inflammation and soreness, bad breath, and even gum disease.
Flossing Teeth Helps Your Health
2) Flossing helps prevent Heart Disease
Gum disease is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease. Extensive research has shown that the bacteria that forms in an unhealthy mouth can harm the rest of the body, leading to cardiovascular disease. Inflammation in your mouth and gums can be a major contributor to damaged arteries by raising your body’s inflammatory biomarkers.
3) Flossing helps control Diabetes
Severe inflammation in your gums (known as periodontitis) can spread throughout your entire body, increasing insulin resistance and damaging blood vessels. Insulin resistance is a huge component of diabetes. In tern, diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, putting the gums at risk for more inflammation or infections. Chronic gum disease can make diabetes more difficult to control by disrupting blood sugar control.
If there was not enough reasons already to take care of your oral health, the relationship between your mouth and overall health provides even more. Practice good oral hygiene everyday by brushing and flossing. You are investing into your overall health! See Dr Skinner at Third Street Dental in North Vancouver at least twice a year for regular cleanings and oral exams.
