Experts urge people to floss for their lives
Dental experts are urging people to look after their teeth and gums as studies prove the link between poor oral health and a number of harmful health conditions.
A recent study conducted by a team from the University of Kentucky have recently established a positive correlation between having poor memory and having a small number of teeth; participants in the study were asked to recall words they had been given five minutes earlier and those with fewer teeth did not perform as well as those with more teeth.
The latest study from Kentucky joins a long list of studies that link poor oral health to medical conditions and problems; previous research projects have also found a link between poor oral health and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, lung disease and complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said that the study carried out by the University of Kentucky was “breakthrough scientific research.” Dr Carter said that he hoped that people would start to realise the importance of oral hygiene and good oral health now that poor oral health has been linked to so many serious health problems.
Many of the links between poor oral health and medical conditions have not been examined in enough detail to establish the exact reason behind the relationship; however, experts are sure that the dangers of poor oral health are caused by the bacteria, which enter the body through the mouth. Harmful bacteria collects to form plaque, a sticky film which clings to the surfaces of the teeth; when plaque is left to build-up, up to 700 different types of harmful bacteria can be present in the mouth. If plaque is not removed, it can contribute to gum conditions including gingivitis and periodontal disease; these conditions cause the gums to become inflamed and this can trigger inflammation in other areas of the body, including the heart.
In light of the recent studies, dentists are urging people to include flossing in their daily oral hygiene routine; flossing helps to remove plaque from the cracks between the teeth and the gum line, areas which are often missed during brushing.
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