Flossing and Your Health

By April Toyer, DDS, FAAPD

Lifetime Dental Care

. http://lifetimedentalcareva.com/

More Dental Health Articles

Flossing and Your Health

Like many dental patients, you probably brush your teeth every morning and night, but realize that your floss hasn’t been used in weeks. There are significant benefits to flossing your teeth every day that you’re missing out on. After reading these four benefits to flossing, you may reconsider waiting “just another day” to floss.

Flossing is an Effective Defense Against Gingivitis

Inflammation can occur in gum tissue that contains bacteria, plaque, and tartar build-up. Gums that are swollen and bleed when they’re brushed are a natural result of improper dental hygiene. Adding flossing to your regimen ensures that the debris from between your teeth, as well as any hidden bacteria, plaque, or tartar, is cleared away. Having eliminated the bacteria, your teeth become protected from gingivitis.

Stop Halitosis With Regular Flossing

Food particles hidden in between your teeth can allow bacteria to build up, adding to your bad breath. Tartar, in particular, contributes heavily to halitosis and often can be found hiding between your teeth. Brushing, mouthwash, and flossing every day will go a long way towards protecting your teeth.

Flossing Helps Control Diabetes

This comes as a significant surprise to most dental patients. Research has shown that making brushing a regular part of your daily hygiene practices can actually have a huge positive impact on your battle with diabetes. Oral bacteria have been shown to elevate the level of glucose in your blood, making stabilization difficult. Flossing, brushing, and mouthwash combined eliminate bacteria and reduced their effect on your glucose levels.

Restrict Respiratory Disease With Flossing

Your mouth and oral tissues are a direct pathway to many of the organs in your body, including your lungs. This can cause a serious problem when oral bacteria transfer into your lungs. Once seated in your lungs, they can begin causing health concerns related to breathing as you develop respiratory disease.

By making brushing, flossing, and the use of mouthwash a regular part of your daily routine, you’re protecting yourself from a host of issues. If you want to learn more about how flossing can help you preserve your good health, contact your dental provider and get on the road to battling gingivitis, bad breath, and even heart disease.