Spoiler alert: nothing good. There is a version that Alzheimer’s may develop.
When was the last time you floss your teeth? Most likely not this morning, given that this is not the most popular way in Russia. And in vain – a thread can put things in order where a toothbrush cannot reach. So, what, in the opinion of dentists, will floss (aka dental floss) relieve us of?
Bad breath
The brush is able to clean only the tops and sides of the tooth, leaving bacteria to thrive in tight, hard-to-reach areas such as between teeth. As a result – unpleasant odor, caries, thinning of bone tissue, inflammation and gum disease. It is worth giving up floss for a few days, and this will immediately affect the sensitivity of the teeth.
Toothstone
Plaque, which forms at the base of teeth, consists of hardened food debris and a build-up of bacteria. The latter provoke inflammation of the gums – they turn red, become loose, bleed when eating and during cleaning. Over time, pulpitis and periodontitis may develop, which means that the risk of getting dentures increases earlier than we would like.
Premature tooth loss
As we said, the gaps between the teeth and the indentations between the gum and the tooth (gum pockets) are the best places for germs to grow. Against this background, gingivitis (inflammation and drooping of the gums) may develop, then periodontitis. As a result, the connective tissues affected by the infection will no longer be able to hold the tooth in place, it will begin to loosen, and the bone tissue is destroyed. By the way, this is the most common cause of tooth loss.
Pneumonia
In people with weakened immune systems, infections from the mouth can travel through the blood to other organs. For example, in the lungs, and provoke pneumonia. For the first time, the link between oral hygiene and respiratory diseases was highlighted in 2011 at Yale University. It turned out that most of the bacteria that cause various infections are somehow associated with the oral cavity.
Heart Disease
When bacteria enter the bloodstream, the bacteria involved in the development of gum disease, in some cases, cause an increase in the level of C-reactive protein (CRP). It is a marker of inflammatory processes in the vessels. When released into the arteries that carry blood to the heart, toxins can deposit on the valves, creating bacterial plaques. Scientists have found that gum problems increase the risk of heart disease by 20%.
Alzheimer’s disease
Cardiologists have found that gingivitis and Alzheimer’s disease are caused by the same pathogenic bacterium – Porphyromonas gingivalis. The toxins secreted by it – gingipains – adversely affect proteins involved in the main function of the brain. This seems to be a good enough reason to visit your dentist and brush your teeth for prophylaxis.
Inflammation of the joints
European rheumatologists have concluded that tooth decay may be the first warning sign of developing arthritis. The study showed that out of 636 patients examined, those who had 10 or fewer teeth were at risk. Don’t see the connection? It’s all about the same bacteria that destroy connective tissues through the blood entering the joint and continue their destructive actions.
Of course, this all sounds pretty scary, but don’t panic – just watch your oral health and brush your teeth properly.
General dentist, orthodontist /
– The lifespan of our teeth and the ability to perform the most important function – chopping and chewing food – is directly dependent on care. In fact, the main thing in this matter is not a brush and paste, but the correct cleaning of the teeth. By the way, a dental hygienist can teach this.
For daily oral hygiene, you will need a toothbrush, paste, floss, you can use an irrigator from additional funds.
As a rule, a healthy person who does not have periodontal diseases needs a brush of medium hardness. It perfectly cleans plaque without damaging the gums. Change it every 2-3 months. To choose the right paste, consult your dentist, he will give advice, taking into account your individual parameters.
How to floss? To clean the contact surface, insert the floss into the interdental space, bring it to the gum without injuring it, and then forcefully pull the floss out with a sliding motion along the lateral surface of the tooth. Next, insert the thread into the same interdental space and pull it out over the other surface with a sliding motion. Repeat the procedure on all contact surfaces of the upper and lower dentition.