Your mouth is a window to your well-being. It contains its own microbiome that helps maintain healthy digestion and fights off infection.
When your gums and teeth are healthy, it also reduces your chances for Type 2 diabetes, and according to a new study two different causes of stroke as well.
The study published in the journal Stroke followed 6,200 participants for 25 years and revealed that people who floss their teeth lower the risk for strokes and a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, which can lead to a stroke.
Compared to non-flossers, people who flossed even once a week reduced their risk of stroke caused by a clot formed anywhere in the body by 22%, the risk of a stroke caused by a clot that originates in the heart and then blocks blood flow to the brain by 44%, and a clot related to an irregular heartbeat by 12%.
Flossing has this remarkable power because it reduces inflammation in the gums and helps prevent tooth decay, both of which, if unchecked, increase inflammation in your whole body.
That body-wide inflammation then makes it more likely that you'll have plaque-lined blood vessels and elevated LDL cholesterol.
We recommend daily flossing, avoiding flosses that contain hormone-disrupting PFAS (forever chemicals) to increase glide. Consumer Reports says products called "silk floss" are the best options.
Dr. Mike likes a forced-water flosser that his dental hygienist says works better than string floss.