Everyone searches for the secret to a longer, healthier life. Sometimes, cheating death can seem like a colossal task, but the truth may be as simple as maintaining your daily oral hygiene. Did you know that flossing once a day could save your life and help you live longer? How could something so small make such a difference? Read on to learn why you should start this habit if you don’t do it already.
Why Is Flossing So Important?
Obviously, other factors, such as genetics, medical history, and diet and exercise, play a role in your longevity, but flossing has recently been found to have a profound impact as well. Recent studies revealed that people who never floss are potentially 30 percent more likely to die than those who do on a regular basis.
This finding likely stems from the fact that gum disease, which is a common outcome of failing to floss, leads to adult tooth loss, which impairs eating nutritious foods as well as introduces harmful bacteria to your body. These inflammatory bacteria have been associated with heart disease, dementia, certain kinds of cancer, and other deadly conditions. Flossing in areas where your toothbrush can’t reach, especially between teeth and near and under the gums, reduces your risk of gum disease and therefore lowers your risk of these life-threatening illnesses.
Does the Kind of Floss I Use Matter?
At the drugstore or online, you’ll find a variety of options when it comes to floss. Some have multiple filaments or strands, which tend to be flavored while others consist of just one filament. You also have water flossers available. The truth is that you should use whatever type of floss you prefer and will actually use. Many patients like water flossers and have seen great results, but if you would like to enjoy a minty or novel flavor while flossing, it also works wonderfully. In other words, the type of floss ultimately shouldn’t matter—so find what you prefer and just floss!
How Should I Floss?
If you use premade, individual flossers or the water kind, flossing isn’t complicated. Normal flossing can take some practice, but it too is rather simple. Take a string of floss about 18 inches long. At each end, wrap the floss around your middle fingers and leave about two inches between them. Using your pointer fingers and thumbs, guide the floss between your teeth, sliding up against one side until you go slightly under the gumline and curve it inward. Then, transition to the opposite side and do the same thing to the other tooth. Wind the floss between your middle fingers to expose a new, clean area of floss and repeat the process with each gap.
When you first start flossing, you may notice some minor bleeding or feel sensitivity, but the more you do it, the healthier your gums will become. Illness may still come for other reasons, but your chances of living a better, longer life can increase if you take just a few minutes every day to keep your smile clean and strong.
About the Practice
Williamsburg Dental strongly encourages patients to take preventive steps to protect their oral and overall health. Our talented, well-trained dentists can easily handle complicated treatments for periodontal disease, dental implants, and more, but the team recommends care at home and regular checkups and cleanings to prevent gum disease and other issues. If you need a demonstration or more personalized help knowing how to floss, don’t hesitate to ask at your next appointment, which you can schedule online or call one of our Lincoln offices.