Need a New Year’s Resolution? What if you could add up to six years to your life, improve your cardiovascular health, help fight and control systemic conditions (such as diabetes), improve your looks and social status, and save money…all by doing one thing a day for 30 seconds? Sounds like an infomercial, doesn't it?
Well, you can! And guess what it is: FLOSSING.
Add years to your life: Studies show flossing can add up to six years to your life by ridding your mouth of harmful bacteria and toxins.
Cardiovascular health: Poor oral health is correlated with atherosclerosis, also called "hardening of the arteries," where plaque deposits form on the arterial walls and in essence clog them up. These plaques can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions. You want a healthy heart? Start with a healthy mouth.
Systemic conditions: Studies strongly link flossing to better blood sugar levels control in diabetics. It has also been shown to be a possible link to reducing the risk of pneumonia, alzheimers, arthritis, and breast cancer.
Improve your looks: Nobody likes the “inflamed gums” look. And certainly, no one likes a smile full of cavities.
Improve your social status: You don’t want to be known as the guy or girl that doesn’t floss, do you? But seriously, you probably do want fresh breath. If you’re not flossing, then there is bacteria breeding and hanging out in there, which I can promise you does not smell good.
Save money: You have to spend money to save money, but I guarantee a $3 pack of floss is a lot cheaper than a filling, periodontal treatment, or further treatment for any of the systemic/cardiovascular conditions mentioned earlier.