Teeth and Attraction

As a dentist, I’m always looking for ways to get my patients to floss, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect plug.

Here is a list of reasons, inspired by Valentine’s Day, that flossing will protect your heart, your relationship, and yes, even your sex life:

Reason to Floss#1: Flossing protects your heart

Several studies have confirmed the link between gum disease and heart disease. I know that these two seem totally unrelated, but think about this: When a body part becomes inflamed, like sprained wrist for example, the body responds with agents to help protect the injury from bacteria and viruses. Short term, this is a great thing since it protects you while your wrist heals. If you have gum disease, your gums are in a constant state of inflammation. These same agents in the body that respond to inflammation weaken the heart in the long run. It’s kind of intuitive if you think about it: if you have gum disease, you are leaving your body in a constant state of fighting off infection, so your body is put through extra stress. Oh, and the way you prevent gum disease is by flossing. Daily. Don’t put yourself at risk when it’s as easy as flossing for two minutes every day.

Reason to Floss #2: Flossing makes you a better kisser

The number one turn-off among both women and men is bad breath. Number one! This is a no-brainer. Before you spritz yourself with perfume, put on makeup, or do primping of any sort for your Valentine, remember that you can nip the number one turn off in the bud by taking two minutes to floss and brush your tongue!

Mint and gum companies are inundating people with advertisements that will have you believe that you need sugary mints to ward of halitosis on Valentine’s Day but do not be fooled: When you put a stick of gum or a mint into your mouth, you are feeding the very bacteria that are causing bad breath in the first place. By feeding these bad breath-causing bacteria, you are allowing them to multiply which eventually gives you worse breath. Don’t mask the problem with gum and mints – deal with the root cause by spending just two minutes flossing daily.

Reason to Floss #3: Flossing makes you more attractive

What do you think people notice first: your hair, eyes, or clothing? According to the American Academy of Periodontology, 50% of people say that a smile is the first feature we notice about someone. Wow! That means that you’re better off flossing daily than you are investing in a pair of designer jeans or doing your hair.
Furthermore, if you’re flossing daily, you’re going to be flashing your pearly whites more often as you gain confidence from a beautiful smile. In every culture, people who smile are perceived as much more attractive than those who don’t.

Reason to Floss #4: Flossing improves your sex life

We talked about how the agents that respond to inflammation in the body can cause heart disease. Now think about this: these agents, as well as gum disease itself, are transmitted via saliva and other bodily functions. And you thought all you had to worry about were STDs. Protect yourself and your lover by flossing every day.

Men without gum disease get better erections. One of the causes of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is heart disease, which is associated with gum disease. You might think it’s silly that seeing your dentist and flossing will help you maintain “firmness”, but it’s true – the swelling of your gums may inversely affect the swelling of…something else.

There is tons of research proving that smiling makes us feel better mentally and physically, and doesn’t it make sense that if you are feeling mentally and physically well that your sex life will also get a boost?

So I’ve shown you that flossing can make your life longer and more fulfilling. Since 87% of Americans do not floss daily, I really hope I’ve changed your mind. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Mark Burhenne DDS