Regular Brushing And Flossing May Promote Heart Health.In an article for the Dallas Morning News (7/11) “Health Blog,” Dr. Jane Sadler, a family physician in Garland, Texas, discussed the importance of regular brushing and flossing, saying that “poor health hygiene can result in loss of gum health and structural bone support.” Sadler also stated that “one study found that people who brushed their teeth less often had a 70 percent increased risk of heart disease compared to those with strict oral hygiene habits.”
By Jane Sadler: Dallas Morning News:
After two months of boarding, my dogs were released from jail to join our family. The fire had left us without the ability to manage animals in our tiny temporary hotel. Really, I should not refer to their boarding facility as a jail. They enjoyed two acres and a bone-shaped wading pool. My husband paid extra for the daily doggie-ice cream treats. But there were consequences. We did not pay extra for the dogs’ standard daily tooth brushing and now their teeth look terrible. I immediately resumed their daily brushing routine.
Many years ago, a veterinarian’s wife emphasized the connection between heart and dental health. She expressed her frustration that many pet owners don’t care for their animals’ teeth and gums. Our conversation propelled me to more regularly engage patients about their dental health and to start better caring for my own animals.
A stickler for tooth brushing (ask my teens), I am surprised that many people do not brush or floss regularly. At a child’s physical exam, we regularly encourage twice daily brushing. Although I might be stretching my luck, older children also are advised to pull out the dental floss and start using it daily.
Poor health hygiene can result in loss of gum health and structural bone support. The World Health Organization reports 10-20 percent of people worldwide have severe dental disease and nearly 40 percent has moderate disease. One study found that people who brushed their teeth less often had a 70 percent increased risk of heart disease compared to those with strict oral hygiene habits.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has specific recommendations for parents to develop healthy dental habits for their children. The American Dental Association has more age-specific recommendations for adults that include brushing twice daily along with regular flossing and regular dental visits.
I am glad to report that my teeth are considerably healthier than my dogs’ teeth. However, I will get back to their regular dental routine and all will be good. As far as my teens’ dental health…well, I will just say that they better read this article because they could probably use a brush up on their own dental hygiene!
After two months of boarding, my dogs were released from jail to join our family. The fire had left us without the ability to manage animals in our tiny temporary hotel. Really, I should not refer to their boarding facility as a jail. They enjoyed two acres and a bone-shaped wading pool. My husband paid extra for the daily doggie-ice cream treats. But there were consequences. We did not pay extra for the dogs’ standard daily tooth brushing and now their teeth look terrible. I immediately resumed their daily brushing routine.
Many years ago, a veterinarian’s wife emphasized the connection between heart and dental health. She expressed her frustration that many pet owners don’t care for their animals’ teeth and gums. Our conversation propelled me to more regularly engage patients about their dental health and to start better caring for my own animals.
A stickler for tooth brushing (ask my teens), I am surprised that many people do not brush or floss regularly. At a child’s physical exam, we regularly encourage twice daily brushing. Although I might be stretching my luck, older children also are advised to pull out the dental floss and start using it daily.
Poor health hygiene can result in loss of gum health and structural bone support. The World Health Organization reports 10-20 percent of people worldwide have severe dental disease and nearly 40 percent has moderate disease. One study found that people who brushed their teeth less often had a 70 percent increased risk of heart disease compared to those with strict oral hygiene habits.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has specific recommendations for parents to develop healthy dental habits for their children. The American Dental Association has more age-specific recommendations for adults that include brushing twice daily along with regular flossing and regular dental visits.
I am glad to report that my teeth are considerably healthier than my dogs’ teeth. However, I will get back to their regular dental routine and all will be good. As far as my teens’ dental health…well, I will just say that they better read this article because they could probably use a brush up on their own dental hygiene!
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