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Flossing can add years to a lifespan.

I have been telling my patients in my Victoria dental office for years of the benefits of flossing although studies indicate the on average less than 5% of people floss. There is now research that found that flossing can add up to 6 years to a persons lifetime. How can this be? Well, when someone doesn’t floss there is buildup of a bacteria biofilm between the teeth. Many types of bacteria multiply there and can cause the blood vessels in the surrounding gum tissue to swell and become leaky. Those bacteria can then enter the blood stream and travel to other parts of the body such as the heart and major arteries where they can cause inflammation and damage.

I recommend flossing each morning and night along with brushing. Flossing is inexpensive and takes very little time. If you could add health and years to your life by doing this one thing that probably takes less than 3 minutes per day it would seem like a no-brainer. I tell my patients in my Victoria dentist office that if they see a little blood with brushing or flossing that it means there is inflammation there. Exactly the kind of bad inflammation that we are talking about here. In that case they need to alter their oral hygiene brushing and or flossing habits, or it could be a sign of a more serious gum problem like periodontitis. Truly the best way to take care of this is by discussing this with their dentist or hygienist at their cleaning appointment.

If you are in need of a dentist in Victoria, TX to help you with your gum problems, please call 361-573-7722.