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Day in Health
by Lisa Collier Cool
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Did you know that taking good care of your teeth and gums can not only add years to your life, but also lowers risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetesand
even memory-robbing disorders like Alzheimers disease? A new study of nearly 5,000 older adults found that those who brushed their teeth less than once a day were up to 65 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed daily. And heres even more motivation to brush and floss: A new CDC study reports that nearly 65 million Americansone out every two adults ages 30 and older have gum disease, a far higher rate than has previously been reported. Thats dangerous, since a 2012 American Heart Association scientific statement reports that periodontal (gum) disease is a strong, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and stroke). 10 Best Heart Disease Blogs of 2012
It doesnt matter whether you floss first or brush first, because you are cleaning different surfaces of the teeth. Thats why flossing is crucial: Its the only way to clean between the teeth, since a toothbrush cant reach these crevices. --Ruchi Sahota, DDS, American Dental Association spokesperson and general dentist in Fremont, CA The biggest thing is to remember to brush twice a day and floss once, spending several minutes removing plaque and debris between the teeth. It takes 24 to 48 hours for oral bacteria to organize into plaque, so as long as you dislodge the plaque at least once a day by flossing, youre protecting your oral health. --Ron Burakoff, DDM, MPH, DMD, MPH, Chair & Professor, Department of Dental Medicine, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine Either order is OK. My recommendation is to floss at night, before you go to bed. When youre sleeping, you produce less saliva to clean your teeth and gums, so oral bacteria are free to do more damage. Therefore, its important to brush, floss and scrape your tongue every night to get rid of bacteria and go to bed with your mouth as clean as possible.--Ronald M. Goodlin, DDS, President, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry The Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Smile