When your dentist tells you to floss, she isn’t just filling a lapse in the conversation. She knows flossing isn’t just essential for good dental health, it’s good for your overall health as well. You could make a case for flossing being as important for your health as adequate exercise and a healthy diet.
Study after study after study proves that flossing directly prevents gum disease. If you’ve never given much thought to gum disease, the following facts might surprise you.
Consider this:
- Gum disease increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Diabetics with gum disease have a lot more trouble controlling their disease.
- Pregnant women with gum disease often have low birth-weight babies.
- Gum disease and bad breath go hand in hand.
- Periodontal Disease (gum disease) leads to tooth loss. It’s the number one reason people lose their teeth.
- Any problems inside the mouth mean having to see the dentist more often.
1 – 5 are bad enough, but number 6 serves as a personal motivator. Call it a phobia, call it fear, call it irrational….but, whatever you do, don’t call me until I’m through flossing.