Beyond Fresh Breath: How Flossing Can Save Your Life
Mar 18, 2025•11 min
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Episode description
Story at-a-glance
- Oral diseases now affect 3.5 billion people worldwide, making them the most widespread health conditions, yet many overlook their link to serious diseases
- Poor oral hygiene contributes to chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation, but simple habits like flossing significantly reduce these risks
- A study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Conference found that flossing at least once a week lowers the risk of ischemic stroke by 22% and heart-related strokes by 44%
- Flossing also reduces the likelihood of atrial fibrillation by 12%, helping prevent blood clots that lead to heart failure and other cardiovascular complications
- Regular flossing lowers systemic inflammation, reducing cardiovascular mortality risk by 36%, with each additional day of flossing per week decreasing the risk of dying from heart disease by 6%
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