According to recent statistics, 32% of Americans say they don't floss their teeth. Males, seniors over the age of 75, and low-income individuals are among the highest groups of people who never floss. Because they know just how important flossing is, this information is very concerning to those who work in the field of dental services.
Besides improving oral health, flossing can actually help to prevent certain health conditions, including the following three.
1. Bad Breath
Having bad breath is tembarrassing. In fact, bad breath is one of the 11 most embarrassing health conditions that people have. That means that bad breath is right up there with smelly feet, incontinence, and excessive sweating.
The good news is, there are some fairly simple ways to remedy bad breath. One of which is flossing your teeth on a regular basis. Flossing can actually improve bad breath because it helps get rid of bacteria and food particles that causes this embarrassing condition.
2. Heart Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the number one cause of death for both male and female adults. While there are many factors that contribute to heart disease, flossing your teeth is one thing you can do to protect yourself from this deadly disease.
This is due to the fact that bacteria from the mouth can spread to other parts of the body through the blood stream. When this bacteria reaches the heart, it can cause endocarditis, which affects the lining of the heart. Oral bacteria has also been known to clog the arteries, which leads to heart disease.
3. Preterm Labor
Pregnant women who floss their teeth are reducing the chances of their baby being born too early. Babies born before 37 weeks gestation are considered preterm. When pregnant women have bacteria in their mouth, it gets circulated into the bloodstream and absorbed by her unborn baby.
While the survival rates of preterm babies have improved over the years, the earlier a baby is born, the higher their risk of having health complications such as low birth weight, breathing problems, and disabling conditions like cerebral palsy.
For optimum protection against these three health conditions, dentists recommend that you floss at least once a day. You should also never use things like your fingernails, cutlery, or strands of hair to clean between your teeth. Instead, be sure to use string floss or dental picks.
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