Flossing Benefits: Why Dentists Say It's About More Than Just Your Teeth

You've heard 'floss daily' from every dentist since childhood. What you probably haven't heard is why it matters for your heart, your brain, and how long you'll live.

Let's face it. You may brush your teeth every day, but floss? Not so much. In fact, studies reveal that only one out of three Americans floss daily. It would seem like a negligible habit, but read further, and you might think twice about ditching that dental floss that has been sitting in your bathroom cabinet untouched yet again.

Flossing isn't only for dental care. It has a far greater impact on your whole body and can even prolong your life. Yes, you heard that right. Floss, and you just might live a little longer.

Your Toothbrush Isn't Doing the Whole Job

So where does all this start? Right at the basics, with the toothbrush you use every day.

The fact is, your toothbrush can only clean 60% of your tooth surface. And brushing your teeth will only remove 40-60% of plaque. So if you aren't flossing, nearly half of your mouth is uncharted territory, including areas between teeth where bacterial biofilm sits.

This makes you more susceptible to gum disease resulting from bacterial load, plaque buildup, and gum inflammation that flossing could have prevented. About half of adult Americans today have one form of gum disease.

The Gum-to-Bloodstream Connection

So, how does flossing benefit the rest of your body? You know that shallow space where your gum and teeth meet? This is known as the gingival sulcus, and it is lined with very permeable tissue.

According to Kami Hoss, DDS, who authored "If Your Mouth Could Talk: An In-Depth Guide to Oral Health and Its Impact on Your Entire Life," the sulcus is "richly vascularized, meaning bacteria and whatever compounds we introduce there have a remarkably direct pathway into the bloodstream."

One unfriendly type of bacteria found in the mouth, Porphyromonas gingivalis, can infect the gums and cause gum disease. But more importantly, this has also been linked to heart disease and Alzheimer's. The bacteria have been found in arterial plaque, which blocks arteries during a heart attack, as well as in the brain tissue of people with Alzheimer's.

Jennifer Timmons, MD, a longevity physician and the founder of Timmons Wellness, warns, "If you don't floss, [the bacteria] can enter the bloodstream and lead to blood vessel inflammation, damage, and tiny blood clots that could cause heart attacks or strokes in other areas." Dr. Timmons notes that while these correlations are not set in stone, there is strong evidence to support them.

The Heart Connection

So what does that inflammation actually mean for your heart, long term?

On average, individuals may live 6.5 years longer due to daily flossing. This is according to Mia Geisinger, DDS, a professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. Research also suggests that never flossing increases mortality risk by 30% compared to flossing daily. Dr. Geisinger adds, "Flossing regularly is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, major cardiovascular events, and irregular heart rhythms."

When you fail to floss, inflammation that may start in the gums can travel to other parts of your body through your bloodstream, damaging blood vessels, and potentially contributing to stroke or heart issues.

The Brain Connection

There is also a strong association between flossing habits and dementia. While lack of flossing doesn't directly cause it, it can contribute to the chances of developing dementia.

As dementia develops, the blood-brain barrier, the layer protecting the brain, becomes more permeable. This makes it easier for Porphyromonas gingivalis that has traveled through the bloodstream to reach the brain, affecting cognitive function and contributing to dementia.

How to Actually Do It Right

Protecting your teeth by flossing also means protecting your overall health. You can start by making it a habit to floss every night and not in the mornings. "You're sealing your mouth for six to eight hours. Clearing that biofilm before bed matters far more than doing it after breakfast," Dr. Hoss explains.

The way you floss also matters. Practice shaping the floss in the form of a letter C around the tooth and move it up and down.

Dr. Hoss also recommends using string floss instead of picks or water flossers. The string is more effective in tackling hard-to-reach crevices in the mouth.

Another important thing to do is schedule annual dental checkups to detect any developing gum disease, which usually doesn't come with symptoms.

So the next time you reach for that toothbrush, don't forget to reach for that dental floss too. It's a small daily habit with a big payoff.