You have always been told that you need to brush and floss your teeth each day to prevent oral health complications. While most people do brush their teeth twice a day, only 4 out of 10 Americans floss their teeth daily. As a result, they are not only increasing the risk for oral health complications, but complications to overall health as well. Your oral health is directly linked to impacting your overall health. By skipping out on flossing, you are increasing your risk for developing serious health complications, such as cardiovascular disease. As your dentist in Dallas, GA, Distinctive Dentistry does not want to see you place your health at risk due to lack of flossing.
Why Flossing Matters
Flossing is a vital step to preventive care when it comes to protecting your teeth and gums from damage. Even with the best brushing technique, brushing is not enough to prevent gum disease. A toothbrush is not capable of reaching between the teeth or below the gum line. As a result, if you do not floss daily to clean these areas, you are letting plaque and tarter accumulate. Plaque and tarter accumulations allow bacteria to cause an infection in the gums, known as gum disease.
When treated early, gum disease is reversible without causing any long-term damage. However, often gum disease is not treated until it has reached advanced stages. At this point, serious damage has already occurred to the teeth and gums, which can ultimately lead to tooth loss. However, the complications of the infection are not just limited to your oral health.
The bacteria responsible for gum disease is directly linked to causing complications to overall health. The bacteria found in gum disease can enter the bloodstream. Once the bacteria enter the blood and begins to circulate throughout the body, it causes inflammation in the arteries and heart. This causes cardiovascular disease to develop, increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke.
Recently, it has also been found that bacteria from gum disease is also linked to causing dementia. As the bacteria enter the blood, it enters the brain through nerve channels and the bloodstream. This appears to increase the development for Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, respiratory infections are also likely in those with gum disease. Diabetic complications are also quite common in those with gum disease. Diabetics have a decreased ability to heal and fight infections, making them more prone to the development of gum disease. Once gum disease has developed, diabetes makes it more difficult to treat the infection, allowing the complications to progress.
Your Dentist for Oral Health
While flossing is a fairly simple task, it produces significant complications if you do not floss daily. You need to floss your teeth each day, preferably at night, to remove plaque and tarter. By doing so, you drastically decrease your risk for developing gum disease, protecting your oral and overall health.
In addition to brushing and flossing, you need to visit your dentist twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups. Contact our office today to schedule a dental cleaning and checkup.
