Flossing: It's Not Just About Your Teeth

My funny dentist once told me I only need to floss the teeth I want to keep.  He's right.  But while I was in school for Naturopathy, I learned there are many other reasons to floss and how important good oral hygiene is to achieving and maintaining good health.

Research shows there is a connection between periodontitis (inflammation of the gums) and heart disease. Poor dental hygeine can contribute to a chronic low-level contribution to the bloodstream of bacteria and their toxins, which damage blood vessels and elicit an inflammatory response. Inflammation causes a cascade of health problems.

Need help?  Make your life easy and get yourself a cordless toothbrush.  It will have a two minute timer on it so you will be able to effectively and efficiently hit every surface.  Then take an extra minute or two and floss between every tooth -- that's right -- only an extra minute or two of prevention could save big money in dental and medical bills, and weeks (or more) of sick time down the road.  

Side effect: You'll feel and look better.

OC