If you think you should only floss occasionally, or keep floss on hand to remove a rogue popcorn kernel or piece of spinach, then there’s more to flossing than you might have previously realized. Besides supplementing your brushing regime, regular flossing – whether with traditional string wax or a hydroflosser – performs daily miracles, not only in your mouth, but throughout the rest of your body. What does flossing accomplish? Here are six things the magic of floss can do for you.
Protects the Heart
It may sound hard to believe, but gum disease can increase your risk of developing heart disease. How is this possible? Simple. When bacteria start to build on your teeth from poor or lack of dental hygiene, that bacteria can enter your blood. When your blood becomes infected, it puts your heart health at risk; this risk is even higher for diabetics and those with weakened or artificial heart valves. Flossing removes dangerous plaque buildup and keeps your body strong to help fight off infection.
Prevents Tartar Build-Up
Plaque and food debris that linger in your mouth can harden into tartar, a thick, crusty deposit that lies at the gumline and can be removed only by dental professional. Left to build, tartar – also known as calculus – can leave you vulnerable to tooth decay, infection, gum disease and tooth loss. Brushing is not enough to keep tartar at bay; the best way to get to tartar before it becomes a problem is flossing daily.
Eases Hormonal Symptoms
Your hormones can be drastically affected if your oral health is not adequately maintained. That’s because hormonal balance changes can change the pH balance inside your mouth, making it more likely to grow bacteria. And once these bacteria enter your blood stream, severe consequences – from cardiovascular disease to joint inflammation – can result. Proper dental care is an easy way to ease hormonal symptoms.
Prevents Halitosis
Halitosis – more commonly known as bad breath – doesn’t simply occur after eating a garlic bagel; on the contrary halitosis is a chronic condition that occurs when food debris gets stuck at the gum line, causing bacteria to thrive and producing a very distinct odor. Gargling may kill some of the germs that cause bad breath, but removing the food particles and plaque from your teeth and gums is your best bet to overcome halitosis.
Relieves Joint Pain
If you are suffering from joint pain, try flossing! According to a recent study, those diagnosed with both arthritis and gum disease have the same plaque bacteria found in their joints and mouth. These microbes can be traced from inflamed gums that entered the bloodstream, nestling into joint fluid to cause inflammation.
A Great Measuring Stick
Flossing regularly and conscientiously is a great way to assess your overall health. For example, if after a few days of flossing you notice your gums continue to bleed or ache (it’s perfectly normal for the first few day), it could mean that there are more health concerns, to include anemia, leukemia, diabetes or oral cancer. It could also indicate something less concerning, such as brushing too aggressively or poorly fitted dental apparatus.
Your Family Dentists in Henderson
Next to brushing and flossing every day, the best way to ensure lifelong healthy teeth and gums is to have regular dental exams. In Henderson, Drs. Dung Bui and Dr. Joanne Nguyen and their expert team at Dedicated Dental are ready to make sure you and your family have a lifetime of great dental health. Whether you are looking for full mouth reconstruction or regular cleanings, look no further than Dedicated Dental. Call us to today (702) 566-5509, or you can book an appointment online.
