One-fourth of adults in the U.S. ages 65 and older have lost all of their teeth!
But oral health is more than just healthy teeth. Your mouth reflects your general health and well-being. Regular brushing and flossing will prevent oral diseases whose cumulative and painful effects become more complex over time.
Here are the 12 most powerful reasons to brush and floss daily.
Your mouth will start to smell as you get halitosis. Chewing gum doesn’t always mask the smell. You take the trash out from the kitchen and do not just spray Lysol inside the can… right?
More than 700 species of bacteria (most are harmless) thrive in your mouth, encouraging the build up of plaque on your teeth.
Gingivitis is caused by the plaque buildup around your teeth, leading to swollen gums and teeth that bleed when you brush them. Want to avoid bleeding gums? Brush them!
After your gums swell and bleed, the gingivitis spreads to the bone surrounding your teeth.
The overflowing plaque and bacteria can eventually make its way into your bloodstream. While true, according to the AHA, it’s not a causal factor because of “several common risk factors,” including cigarette smoking, age, and diabetes mellitus.
Similar to the heart, the bacteria can also make its way up to your brain.
A small Turkish study claims this.
Australian researchers claim a delay of two months.
Antibodies to bacteria infection in the mother have been found in umbilical cords and placental blood of the baby after delivery.
Poor oral health increases your risk of developing dementia by 30-40%.
It only takes two minutes. The average American spends one minute brushing their teeth which generally only removes 60% of the plaque.
Prevention is the best cure! If you neglect your oral health, you will potentially need to spend thousands on extractions (you have 32 teeth), and eventually dentures.
Lastly, did you know the standard advice of seeing a dentist twice a year is credited to the Pepsodent toothpaste ad campaign? It’s still good advice. Your dentist is the best person to recommend the number of required visits for optimal oral health.
Featured image courtesy of Marc Samsom licensed via Creative Commons.
http://www.GiddyupGenie.com/blog
Margie Arnett, M.S., is an assistant professor, author, keynote speaker, project manager, social media specialist and triathlete. Margie delights in exceeding expectations. She is owned by 7 furkids: 2 horses, 4 dogs and 1 parrot. Want to know more? Margie blogs at www.GiddyupGenie.com/blog
Margie, This was a seriously scary list, and had lots of good reasons to floss, and floss often. :) I think these kinds of habits form in early childhood, but this sure does give everyone a great list to reinforce and go by! Thanks for keeping us all in sparkling smiles :)
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