Can Flossing Potentially Extend Your Life Expectancy?

You know flossing is an integral step in your oral care routine, but did you know it can even support bodily health and potentially reduce your risk of systemic disease?

Since flossing can help prevent gum disease—which has been linked to health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes—it may just extend your life expectancy [1]. Here’s why removing plaque via flossing could just help you live longer.

Flossing Could Lower Your Risk of a Heart Attack

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death globally.

Although many factors influence whether a person develops heart disease, research shows that people with periodontal disease have up to three times the risk for a cardiovascular event than people without gum disease [2].

The reasons for this increased risk may not come from a direct impact—people who have a higher risk for heart disease also tend to have other behaviors that can influence gum health, including a poor diet.

By flossing and taking care of your teeth and gums, it’s possible that you could lower your risk for heart disease and the associated inflammation that can stress the body and immune system.

Removing Plaque With Flossing May Improve Diabetes

People with uncontrolled diabetes have an increased risk of gum disease, which can result in gum inflammation and infection. Periodontal disease can make it harder to treat diabetes, but unmanaged diabetes can also make it harder to treat periodontal disease.

In addition, people with diabetes and gum disease are at an increased risk for other health issues, including kidney disease and cardiovascular complications [3]. Removing plaque daily via flossing may help improve the success of diabetes treatment. Keeping your diabetes under control and your gum tissue healthy can lower inflammation and support your overall health, potentially adding years to your life.

Maintain Proper Gum Health Could Prevent Cognitive Decline

Recent research links gum disease to Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive decline diseases. Although the research doesn’t prove a causal link, it does show that the infection seen in periodontal disease may cause the brain to produce unnatural plaques that disrupt normal, healthy cell function [4].

People with gum disease have a higher risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Dementia and cognitive decline can also impact an individual’s ability to care for their teeth and gums with brushing and flossing, so people with dementia are also at an increased risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay.

Taking care of your gums could lower your risk for dementia and associated complications and increase your life expectancy.

Do You Floss Regularly?

So there you have it—periodontal disease has been linked to major health implications that can lead to early death. Fortunately, gum disease is preventable with daily brushing, flossing, and bi-annual trips to your dentist, so don’t skip flossing—it could just add a few years to your life!

Sources:
1. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/11/dont-toss-floss
2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/gum-disease-and-heart-disease-the-
common-thread
3. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/professionals/diabetes-discoveries-
practice/improve-oral-health-patients-with-diabetes
4. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/large-study-links-gum-disease-dementia

Summary
Can Flossing Potentially Extend Your Life Expectancy?
Article Name
Can Flossing Potentially Extend Your Life Expectancy?
Description
Since flossing can help prevent gum disease—which has been linked to health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes—it may just extend your life expectancy [1]. Here’s why removing plaque via flossing could just help you live longer.
Author
Orangevale Dental