3 – Flossing
Most Americans understand the importance of and are in the habit of brushing their teeth. We learn this early in life and it is emphasized throughout our school years. Even when entering the Military, recruits are taught again the important habits of proper dental hygiene. Most of us don’t feel right without brushing our teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and again before we go to bed, but how many of us actually brush our teeth after every meal and snack? And how many of us floss our teeth even once a day or for that matter even once a month? The truth is, most people don’t floss their teeth, which eventually leads to gum and periodontal disease.
Data from recent scientific studies indicate that there is a relationship between Gum disease and heart disease. How is this possible? The bacterial infection that causes gum disease can affect conditions in other parts of your body. In heart disease, one theory is that gum disease can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream where they attach to the fatty deposits in the blood vessels of the heart. This condition can cause blood clots and may lead to heart attacks. The bacteria can also travel to the other major organs and begin new infections. It can also increase the risk of stroke, increase a pregnant woman’s risk of having a premature birth, and pose a serious threat to people whose health have been compromised by diabetes and respiratory disease.