The purpose of flossing is two-fold: to clean between teeth and to remove debris from under the gum line. If you’re like most people, you neglect this necessary tooth task and leave behind more than 300 types of destructive bacteria that make up plaque and tartar.
You probably know by now that excessive plaque will cause gum disease, known as gingivitis. And this inflammation isn’t limited tot he mouth. High levels of bacteria seep into pockets between the teeth and gums which produces toxins that continue to promote the disease, both externally and internally.
This chronic infection facilitates the bacteria’s journey to your arteries, where it can hang out and cause further inflammation and a different kind of plaque accumulation – a dangerous combination that often results in atherosclerosis. There is debate among dentists on how many years of life flossing can give you.
While there’s no study that can definitively prove how many years can be added to your life by flossing, some believe a full 6 years is an accurate estimate.
So, the moral of the story: massive amounts of oral bacteria can lead to serious heart disease, so floss and be healthy.