Everyone knows that good oral hygiene is necessary for preventing bad breath, tooth staining, and tooth decay. Food particles that remain trapped in teeth accumulate millions of bacteria, and a bacterial film called plaque grows on teeth that have been neglected. Plaque is responsible for the “fuzzy” feeling that many people experience after several hours of not brushing. With time, plaque’s acids can erode tooth enamel, making teeth vulnerable to decaying or even falling out.
Brushing removes bacteria and particles on the surfaces of teeth, but flossing is necessary to reach the very small spaces in between teeth and below the gum line. Flossing is the best defense against gum conditions that can cause teeth to fall out, like gingivitis and periodontal disease. Interestingly, recent research has also shown that daily flossing is related to lower occurrences of the following:
- Cardiovascular problems and heart attacks
- Clogged arteries and atherosclerosis (a hardening of the arteries)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Alzheimer’s/dementia and old age memory loss
- Stroke
The exact link between flossing and these health conditions is still unknown, but some researchers believe that organs respond to certain agents in the blood that appear in response to inflammation. Inflammation is almost constant in people with chronic gum disease.
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Regardless of your dental history, it is never too late to begin improving oral hygiene. The sooner you get started, the healthier your mouth and your body will be. To schedule an appointment with an experienced and friendly dentist in Austin, contact BridgeView Dental today at 512-347-8299.