Thursday, June 12, 2008

Tips from the dentist's office

I had my routine cleaning the other day and the hygienist was quite chatty. She told me a few things that make me glad we spend boo-coo bucks to take the fam sans insurance to the dentist twice a year:

1. The health of our teeth and the health of our bodies are directly related. Untreated dental problems can lead to all sorts of other ailments--something about blood and oxygen circulation.

2. The bacteria found under the gums of someone with gingivitis is the same bacteria found in the brain of Alzheimer's patients when autopsied.

3. People who floss daily live 7 years longer than those who don't.

3 comments:

Beth said...

I too go to the dentist twice a year. I have ever since I was old enough to. I have never had a cavity and I have heard also that the health of your teeth is related to the health of your body. This past time, I was asked if I have always lived in this state, to which I replied no. She asked me if I ever lived in Colorado. I guess they have water that is very good for your teeth with a lot of natural flouride, as well as a couple of other states. I thought that was pretty interesting too.

sweetnika said...

the dds after their name makes all the difference when they are talking to you doesn't it?
: )
in georgia, south of atlanta
miss you!
thanks for lunch!

Anonymous said...

I have my reservations about the flossing stat... maybe the kind of person who is diligent enough to floss daily is much more attentive to his or her health in general and all those healthy habits lead to a longer and healthier life.

But I will use that stat on my niece and nephew, definitely!! My mom used to scare us that there were "cavity bugs" in our mouths.