Not flossing your teeth every night may be doing much more harm to your health than just increasing your risk for dental caries.
Recent research has associated periodontal or gum disease with serious chronic inflammatory conditions like heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Here’s why:
“Gum disease causes the body to release inflammatory cells into the bloodstream; they circulate and cause inflammation in the lining of the arteries, “says David Shuch, D.D.S., founder and director of The Center for Integrative Dentistry in August, N.J., When the arteries are inflamed over long periods of time, disease can occur.
Periodontal disease is caused by plaque that hardens into tartar along the gum and tooth line. While brushing can help remove plaque, flossing allows you to get in between the teeth, where plaque develops and degrade the tooth, gum and underlying bone.
At Livonia Dental Care, we recommend flossing at least once a day, preferably after brushing your teeth. For those individuals who have been diagnosed periodontal disease, flossing may need to occur more often, such as after every meal.
If you have questions about how often you should floss or how to properly floss your teeth, give us a call. We would be happy to tell you and show you how to best take care of your teeth.
For more information on this topic or any dental related procedure check out our website. If you have any questions, or a dental emergency, you can reach Dr. Jay at Livonia Dental Care at 734.427.7555. “Like” us on Facebook and check out our YouTube.
