Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI
The short answer, YES! Let’s put it this way; your overall health relies on the state of your oral health. By ignoring even seemingly insignificant details such as flossing, you are increasing your risk of developing serious health-related diseases, all by skipping this less than 2-minute step!
Flossing is one of the most important actions you can take to guarding the health of your mouth and body. Many studies have linked oral bacterium to an increased risk of cancers, diabetes, premature births, low birth weight, heart disease, strokes, and even erectile dysfunction. Still, with these facts nearly one-third of adults do not floss regularly.
Look at some of these astonishing facts about oral care in America.
- 4 percent of adults in the U.S., ages 30 and over, NEVER floss
- 3 percent floss occasionally
- 3 percent floss daily
- Men tend to floss more than women
- Low-income individuals are less likely to floss as compared to those with a high income
The act of flossing removes the buildup of bacteria and food particles that hide between your teeth and around your gums. These areas simply cannot be thoroughly cleaned by brushing alone. When this bacterium is not removed on a regular basis, it turns into plaque, which eventually hardens and becomes what is known as tartar. This hard substance can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning.
So what is the big deal with tartar? It leads to tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss,ot to mention bad breath! Gum disease begins by causing red, swollen gums that bleed easily. This means your mouth has an infection, which can cause health problems throughout your body. If you already don’t like the sound of this, then start flossing!
To properly remove this bacterium from between your teeth and gums, follow these steps.
- Take the floss, wrap it around your index fingers and make it taught
- Using an up and down motion, scrub the sides of your teeth with the floss
- To clean around the gum line, follow the shape of your gums, which for a “C”
- Don’t just pop the floss in and then right back out, you will still be leaving bacteria behind
To learn more about proper oral care, contact Hartrick Dentistry today at (248) 549-0950.
Hartrick Dentistry is proud to serve the oral health needs of patients in the areas of Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI.