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How to Floss Your Teeth Properly


We are asked many questions about "dental flossing" by our patients. Most frequent are why is it necessary to floss and what’s the best floss to use? Here's what we tell our patients. 

Why is it necessary to floss my teeth? I brush twice daily!
There are actually two reasons to floss your teeth, one is dental and the other is medical. Brushing one’s teeth daily is part of a sound oral hygiene program. Brushing removes the soft plaque from the teeth which consist of colonies of bacteria. Ungrateful guests, those microscopic monsters thrive on the food particles that are left on your teeth. The result is the production of toxins that contribute to the development of dental diseases such as tooth decay, and diseases of the gums and bone called periodontal disease, not to mention bad breath. Unfortunately, even diligent brushing isn’t enough to remove the plaque that forms between the teeth. That’s where flossing comes in. Simply stated, floss gets into the areas that the toothbrush can’t possibly reach.

What is the medical benefit of flossing my teeth?
Current research is beginning to point to a "mouth-body" connection. Infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body. For a long time it was thought that bacteria was the factor that linked periodontal disease to other infections in the body; however, more recent research demonstrates that it's inflammation that may link periodontal disease to conditions such as coronary artery disease and stroke. In addition, there is an association between periodontal disease and chronic inflammatory conditions such as diabetes, respiratory disease, and osteoporosis. The evidence is also mounting that suggests that pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. While all the information is not yet available, many clinicians feel that infections do play a role in heart disease, and may explain some of the risks that is not accounted for by other factors including high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, being overweight, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Preventing gum disease from occurring or treating it early will help save your smile, and may also save your life!

Read more: http://by-word-of-mouth-newsletter.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-floss-your-teeth-properly.html
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