Every time you go to the dentist, you get asked the same set of questions. While answering honestly about how often you brush isn’t difficult for most of us, a surprising amount of people falter when it comes to telling the truth about how regularly they floss their teeth. We all know we’re supposed to do it, but many people find the activity tedious, painstaking, and not worth the effort. While flossing may be a hard habit to form, it’s one that’s vitally important to pick up. Did you know that flossing has impacts on your health beyond just helping to reduce cavities? If you’ve ever wondered why flossing is important, read on to learn about some of the most important benefits flossing brings to your overall health!
1. Flossing your teeth helps to control diabetes.
While the health of your mouth and the state of your diabetes may not seem directly connected, there is actually a large link between the two! Flossing can have a huge, positive impact on patients who suffer from diabetes. The link between flossing and diabetes comes down to the bacteria in your mouth and how it impacts your blood sugar. When bacteria builds up on your gums, it can enter your bloodstream and disrupt your glucose levels. Flossing helps to clear this bacteria away and stabilize blood sugar! Diabetics should be sure to floss at least once a day to help clear away hazardous bacteria before it poses a threat to their glucose levels.
2. Flossing lowers your chances of getting heart disease.
Another surprising link between your oral health and the health of other areas of your body is the link between flossing and heart disease. When we don’t floss, bacteria builds up on our gums, eventually turning into gingivitis and gum disease. This causes inflammation and allows harmful bacteria to enter our bloodstream. Similarly to how this bacteria may raise blood sugar, it can also enter the heart and promote blood clots and heighten the risk of heart disease. Men, in particular, are at risk for this condition, but it’s vital that anyone worried about their overall health integrate flossing into their daily regimen to help out both their gums and their heart.
3. Flossing can cut down your chances of developing respiratory illness.
As we’ve learned, your mouth is a pathway to the rest of your body and your oral health is crucially important in maintaining the health of all of your organs. When someone skips flossing, bacteria that cause pneumonia and bronchitis can linger in the mouth and eventually make their way into the lungs causing serious illness. Flossing regularly will help to remove bacteria that can cause larger infections and complications.
There are plenty of reasons why integrating flossing into your daily oral health routine is as important as brushing! If you’re struggling to make flossing a habit, talk to your dentist about what you can do to make this new idea stick.
To schedule your next consultation or appointment, don’t hesitate to give us a call at Manus Dental in Lake Zurich, Hyde Park, or Yorkville today!