Brushing your teeth used to be considered the most important component of good oral hygiene, but it now turns out that just brushing may not be enough.
Flossing is now regarded by many to be the most important part of an oral hygiene routine not only due to the benefits it can have on your smile, but also the other benefits that most people wouldn’t have even thought of.
Here are four reasons you’ll likely be running to fetch the floss tonight:
Floss To Protect Your Heart
No, this isn’t a windup. The state of your teeth does indeed affect the health of your heart. Microorganisms associated with gum disease have been found to damage cells in the lining of the arteries, and increase compounds involved in clotting.
Similar findings have been reported in other studies as well, with the American Heart Association presenting a study finding a correlation between professional dental cleanings and heart attacks as well as Harvard Medical School acknowledging the link.
Weight Loss
If you’re looking to shed a few pounds then don’t ignore this study acknowledging the positive correlation between body composition and gum disease. This means that those with higher body fat levels were more likely to have gum disease.
The opposite is also true. A study of diabetic patients showed that taking care of your teeth daily can have a positive impact on blood sugar, decrease inflammation overall and help with your glycemic control.
Floss to Relieve Joint Pain
If you’re looking to fend off joint pain, don’t neglect your teeth. In a study of people with gum disease and arthritis, the same plaque bacteria was found in subjects’ mouths and joints. Those bleeding and inflamed gums can let in harmful microbes that enter the bloodstream make their way into joint fluid.
Can Help Men With E.D.
If the heart help still won’t get you to keep some floss handy, this certainly will: it can affect your performance in the bedroom. According to a paper published in Journal of Periodontology, gum disease was seven times more common in men with erectile dysfunction than their counterparts.
The quality of your partner’s smile might’ve just taken on a new meaning!
Minimises Infection
In a nutshell, bacteria from a gum infection can slip into your throat and take the fast track to your airways and upper respiratory tract.
Research published in the Journal of Periodontology uncovered a link between gum disease and pulmonary disease, such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis. While we are months away from cold and flu season, you certainly don’t want to become vulnerable to pneumonia, bronchitis or other respiratory diseases on account of your oral health.
Bottom Line
So there you have it, although flossing is often seen as a simple part of an oral hygiene routine, it turns out that beneath the surface there are lots of other scientifically backed health benefits which have the potential to improve quality of life.
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