Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
It’s common knowledge that flossing your teeth is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy smile. However, there are plenty of perks that come with routinely using dental floss. Drs. Craig Shepherd and Nathaniel Renner at Tusculum Dental Care are educated and experienced specialists who know that proper oral care benefits your overall health. Read further to learn more about the eight benefits of using dental floss that impact more than just your mouth.
Benefit 1: Immune Health
It’s true, flossing can help protect you from germs—and we’re not just talking about the germs and bacteria that lead to a case of gum disease. Anytime you have a build-up of excessive bacteria in your mouth, those germs can filter into the bloodstream and rapidly spread to the rest of your body. For example, if germs from your mouth travel to your lungs, they can cause a severe case of pneumonia.
Benefit 2: Regulates Weight
Guess what? Flossing is a better weight loss solution than dieting. Keeping on a crash diet is hard to do, even if you’re vigilant. Flossing is easy and takes just a few minutes per day. Researchers have linked the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar, in combination with the presence of gum disease, to people who have higher percentages of body fat. All of the foods that you eat can linger in between your teeth. The more you eat, the more food can build up between your teeth if you don’t floss. The more of those food particles that gather, the more plaque and bacteria will thrive in your mouth, creating a vicious cycle.
Benefit 3: Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Your oral health directly correlates to your heart health. Tooth decay and gum disease affect your heart’s ability to pump blood and do its job if the plaque in your mouth filters into your blood and forms blockages in your arteries. Flossing creates a healthier mouth, which makes for a healthier heart. That means your chances of suffering from a stroke or heart attack will be lowered.
Benefit 4: Manage Arthritis Pain
Joint pain and inflammation from arthritis can seem impossible to manage. Flossing can help make this type of pain more bearable. Inflamed gums and infections from the mouth can cause swelling in your major joints if the infection travels there by way of your bloodstream.
Benefit 5: Protects Your Baby
The to-do list for expecting mothers or women trying to conceive feels like it’s 1,000 miles long: Vitamins, the recommendations on things you should and shouldn’t eat, exercise, not overexerting yourself, monthly doctor’s visits, and more. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. If you’re trying to get pregnant, you should know that gum disease can delay conception. If you are already expecting, then you should know that the more bacteria you have on your teeth and gums, the higher your chances will be of issues such as premature delivery and low birth weight. Pregnant women also have a higher risk of gum disease because of hormonal changes.
Oral care in Greeneville, Erwin and Jonesborough in Tennessee
Flossing is a simple task that, if added to your daily routine, can lower your odds of suffering from any of the above ailments and problems. Your oral care regimen also should include biannual visits to your dentist in Greeneville for a checkup and cleaning. At each of these appointments, our staff also can provide instruction in proper flossing techniques. Make your appointment today by completing our online appointment request form or calling our office in Greeneville at (423) 639-7575.