When is the last time you flossed? Chances are high it wasn’t this morning, considering only four of 10 Americans floss at least once a day, according to a 2019 survey conducted by the American Dental Association. And though your flossing frequency may not seem like a big deal, all that extra bacteria lurking in those hard-to-reach corners of your mouth can wreak some very serious havoc on the rest of your body. From heart disease to Alzheimer’s, these are the serious impacts that your aversion to flossing can have on your body. And for more ways to have your best teeth, here are 20 Secrets for Whiter Teeth After 40.
Neglect your flossing routine for even just a few days and it’s likely that you’ll suffer from bad breath and tooth sensitivity. That’s because, according to Dr. Greg Grobmyer, DDS, a dentist with Authority Dental, not flossing your teeth can cause the bacteria in your mouth to remain in those areas that your toothbrush can’t reach.
“Brushing your teeth cleans the tops and sides of your teeth, but it can’t do anything about the spaces between where food gets stuck,” explains Grobmyer. “Flossing is the only way to remove bacteria and food from these tight spaces. Bacteria and food left in these areas can cause bad breath, tooth decay, bone loss, and inflammation in the form of gum disease.”
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