Karen Winterfield-Dodds, D.M.D.

There are small things we can do daily to improve our overall health.  Eat a balanced diet, exercise, and floss your teeth.  Yes, flossing can have a great impact on your overall health.

Firstly, you should brush a minimum of 2 times a day for 2 minutes.  Brushing alone cannot rid you of the bacteria that live between the teeth and under the gum line.  These bacteria that live under the gum line can not only cause gum disease but can also create an environment that can cause bad breath and cavities.

Flossing once a day, preferably before bedtime, can prevent other diseases as well.  Removal of bacteria from between the teeth can prevent the bacteria migration into the bloodstream.  Bacteria in the bloodstream could travel to the heart, affect other organs and artificial joints, causing other more serious health problems.

Flossing can also give you other clues to your overall dental health.  Dental problems can begin silently.  Floss can often snag on a rough filling, catch on a broken tooth, and fall into a new cavity.  Flossing can help to identify dental problems early on before they become more serious.

Keeping bacteria to a minimum by brushing and flossing, and seeing your dental professional on a regular basis, can improve your overall health.  Now that is something to smile about!

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Karen Winterfield-Dodds D.M.D., 109 Franklin Corner Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
609-895-8882
609-895-8887-FAX
exceptionaldentistry@winterfielddmd.com