FLOSSING can help cut the risk of more than 50 serious illnesses, an expert has claimed.
Scientists say that keeping is the “gateway to health”.
Flossing can help cut the risk of more than 50 serious illnesses, an expert has claimedCredit: Getty
It can prevent harmful inflammation that is linked to conditions including , and heart disease.
But one dentist warned the UK has oral health like a Third World country thanks to poor diet.
figures show 41 per cent of adults have tooth decay — and about half have gum disease, which can lead to inflammation spreading to blood vessels and vital organs
twice a day and flossing are the best ways to prevent gum disease.
Figures show almost all Brits — 97 per cent — brush at least once a day. But only half regularly floss.
‘OVERALL HEALTH’
This might raise the risk of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease as well as more common illnesses.
Prof Alpdogan Kantarci, of the University of Minnesota, said: “We think maintaining your teeth may be associated with a reduced risk of more than 50 conditions.
“Unfortunately the UK is not so different from a Third World country.
“We think that the western world has better access to oral care but we have all of the processed food, soft diet, lack of exercise, and so on.”
Nearly 60 per cent of adults in , about 26.7million people, have not seen a dentist in two years.
Prof Kantarci added: “In people with mild or moderate diseases, those who are taking care of their teeth show much better responses.
“The answer is clear — we have to improve oral health for overall health.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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