gums & teeth, Health

8 Reasons Why You Really Should Floss

In case your dedicated dentist still hasn't been able to convince you, here are some enlightening reasons to start getting cozy this winter with your floss.

1. Whiter teeth

Remove food and debris before they become one with your teeth and stain them.

2. You deserve the indulgence

It’s quite addicting. Once you’re hooked, flossing can be as gratifying as receiving a head scratch or massage. Even monkeys love to treat themselves.

3. Smell good, not stinky

No one wants to be that person with sour or fishy breath. If you don’t floss, you’ll miss cleaning plaque off 40% of your tooth surfaces. Don’t let those odor-emitting bacteria take advantage of you.

4. Staying alive

Flossing can save your life. Oral bacteria contribute to the furring up and narrowing of artery walls. One study found that the presence of common problems in the mouth were as good at predicting heart disease as cholesterol levels.

5. Keep your teeth

In one study, teeth surrounded by inflamed gums were over 40 times more likely to be lost than teeth surrounded by healthy, pink gums.

While missing teeth may sound dramatic, did you know that more than 30 million Americans have no teeth (not a single one!)?

6. Save Money

Americans spend an average of $1K per year on dental care. Just $30 per year of floss and good habits can prevent more unnecessary and costly dental visits.

7. Pass on the tartar

If you don’t remove plaque within several days, it’ll solidify into tartar – a solid material that cannot be removed without professional help. Tartar is also a ripe breeding ground for bacteria that love to cling to it.