Flossing and Heart Disease

Over the years, I'd watch my dad floss away at his teeth, pausing to recheck if he'd missed a spot. I would always wonder, how does he have so much patience to hold that strand of floss, trying to get it in between every gap? Now I know why. I used to take my teeth for granted, brushing once a day and not caring about the twice a day rule. Later on as I got older, it sunk in and then I was brushing away (who wants painful teeth work done as a result of negligence?), and gargling mouth wash too, mind you. My father, during all these years of pestering me to brush my teeth twice a day, didn't stress at all on how flossing was more important.

Brushing your teeth is a great way of ridding big particles of food caught in between your teeth, and scrubbing away at its front and back to keep it squeaky clean. Flossing, on the other hand, gets rid of tiny food particles that a brush cannot possibly reach, and also cleans the gum line between your teeth to keep it bacteria-free. Your gums, dental health, and even your general health, depend on flossing to stay free from diseases.

What is Floss?

Dental floss threader is a strand of two kinds of textured materials - nylon and the single filament floss. These strands were made for people, because it was evident that a toothbrush couldn't possibly be the only way that someone could eliminate all the bacteria in his/her mouth. I know you may be thinking, 'What about mouthwash?' Yes, mouthwash does reach into those crevices as well, but being a liquid, it doesn't apply enough friction to the gums like floss does. I'm not saying you should toss away that mouthwash, it is an important element in dental care, but flossing is something that one needs to add-on to that routine.

Nylon floss is inexpensive and comes in two kinds, unwaxed/waxed - with a range of flavors that are added. These floss strands can easily shred apart and can get snagged on sharp teeth, but are effective anyway. The single filament floss on the other hand, is slightly expensive, but it slides between teeth easily and reaches those niches in one's mouth with ease. These don't shred or get caught by sharp teeth ends. Power flosses are available for those who aren't good with their hands while flossing. Do not substitute floss with toothpicks/finger nails, that just damages your gums.

Effects of Not Flossing

When one doesn't floss, there are many gum diseases that can subsequently take place. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gum tissue) is a major gum disease that attacks gums that aren't properly maintained. If this is not treated in time, it leads to a more severe gum disease called Periodontitis (periodontal disease). This is when gums shrink away from the teeth, forming 'pockets' that are infected. Plaque forms below the gum line, but the body tries to fight the bacteria present in the gums. Breaking down the bone and connective tissue that holds teeth in its place is a result of the body's response to the infection and the bacteria toxins. If one doesn't treat this, the whole mouth starts to deteriorate - from the gums, to the tissue, to the bones. Teeth are eventually extracted.

Gum disease symptoms:

• Tender/bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Teeth that appear sensitive
• Hurts when you chew
• Teeth are loose
• Gums start to recede making teeth look longer
• Swollen gums or those that appear red

Correlation between Flossing and Heart Disease

Teeth flossing and heart disease, as I mentioned earlier, are linked in a major way. Once the swelling starts to get out of hand from periodontitis, it causes problems that reach the heart. Due to the mouth's state, inflammation can take place in any part of the body releasing a large number of 'mediators', which are chemicals, that cause inflammation in the heart. This is because the bacteria present in the mouth, piles itself into the bloodstream through the infected gums, that mesh with platelets in the blood causing blood clots. In healthy people as well, a heart attack can take place when this occurs.

Other problems that can arise from gum diseases include:

• Ventilator-associated pneumonia
• The effectiveness of insulin is hindered with those suffering from type 2 diabetes
• Bone damage
• Dementia (older people)
• Chronic periodontitis
• Aggressive periodontitis

Causes of gum disease include:

• Poor nutrition
• Obesity
• Grinding teeth
• Diabetes
• Medication intake
• Puberty
• Pregnancy
• Tobacco use / Smoking
• Genetics

Staying away from eatables that cause tooth decay (candy, cookies, sugary items, wafers, cakes and more), can help you stay clear from having teeth problems as well. Flossing as you now know, is just as important as eating a healthy breakfast in the morning. Fit it into your schedule and think of all the trouble saved from going to the dentist's clinic, and enduring all that pain. Trust me, my dad hardly ever gets teeth work done - because he flosses. I too have to get into the habit of flossing. After all I'm too young to have a random cardiac arrest!

"Trips to the dentist - I like to postpone that kind of thing." - Johnny Depp