Over the past decade there has been some discussion on
how oral health relates to your overall health. Before this, many people just
assumed that oral health was independent of total health. Even more recently there
has been media coverage related to a father who lost his life due to a dental
infection. So what do we really know about how dental health affects your life
span?
Business Insider recently had an article discussing how
flossing is related to longevity. They were not suggesting that flossing
directly results in living longer. However, they suggest that if you are
willing to take the time each day to floss your teeth and maintain good oral
health, then you are more likely to do a lot of other things to take care of
yourself. This could include eating well, exercising regularly, and maintaining
regular visits to your doctor or dentist. They are not claiming flossing is the
cause of longer life span, but is correlative.
Every time you visit the dentist you are encouraged to
floss your teeth. Everyone is, but typically few listen. We often hear the
question, “Do I really need to floss my teeth?” We respond ‘yes’ and explain
our reasoning behind it. But still, very few people make it part of their daily
routine. However, if you are someone that is willing to adopt the
recommendations of your health care professionals, then you are setting
yourself up for success. The recommendations of doctors and dentist carry a lot
of fact and reason. They typically know more than the average person about that
particular subject. So listen to their suggestions, because it could prolong
your life.
There are many variables that can affect your life span,
but taking the time each day to do some little things for yourself can make a
big difference. Flossing has shown to be a good example of that. So embrace
flossing, keep your mouth healthy, and see where else it can help you in life!
For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.
Lee T. Brown, DDS
Brown and Kupper, DDS
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