Confession time. It’s just us here right now, so be honest.
When was the last time you flossed?
If you’re like most Americans, you can’t answer that. And that’s because the majority of Americans either don’t floss or do so only rarely.
In fact, just 30 percent of Americans floss daily. And the risk isn’t just a stinky mouth, bleeding gums, and more painful trips to the dentist. It’s something far, far worse.
We already knew folks who develop gum disease can suffer from other linked health consequences from heart issues to memory loss. But the new research reveals the TRUE TOLL of gum disease. And it’s far worse than we ever imagined.
If you have gum disease, your risk for a sudden and devastating stroke could SOAR.
But today, I’m going to share the simple solution to avoiding that skyrocketing risk. Because I’ve got a way to clean up your gums… and start to reverse your gum disease… even if it’s been years since you last flossed.
Stop a stroke with better gum care
Two out of three American seniors have gum disease. The other third are most likely the folks who floss daily.
The good news is that gum disease IS reversible. And if you do have it, you’re going to want to get to work reversing it ASAP.
Because it turns out gum disease could be the first, best, and maybe ONLY warning sign that the large arteries in the brain are starting to turn to “cement” and that other arteries are getting plugged up with goo as well.
The study, presented at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference 2020, looked at the issue from both ends. It examined folks who’ve had a stroke as well as people who HAVEN’T to see if they could spot a common risk factor in the gums.
And let’s just say they found a “smoking gum” in BOTH cases.
Among folks who’ve had a stroke, they found that gum disease will…
- DOUBLE your risk of large artery strokes due to intracranial atherosclerosis, or when the arteries in the brain harden and choke off the supply of blood.
- TRIPLE your risk of stroke involving blood vessels in the back of the brain. These blood vessels help control vital functions including vision and coordination – and when they’re damaged, you could suffer major disability.
And if you haven’t had a stroke, well don’t rest too easy. The same study finds older folks with gum disease who SEEM healthy have…
- DOUBLE the risk of moderately severe narrowed brain arteries.
- 5 TIMES the risk of severely blocked brain arteries.
But wait, there IS some good news here, too.
Get back to basics to reverse gum disease
The researchers say at least two studies suggest getting control of gum disease now can help reverse ALL of these conditions.
That makes perfect sense, of course. Because, as I’ve explained before, gum disease leads to all over inflammation. And inflammation in blood vessels is what causes plaque to stick to the walls, leading to narrowing and blockages.
So get back to basics….
- Brush after every meal.
- Floss daily with a non-wax (or PFAS free) dental floss brand you can trust such as Tom’s of Maine.
- Rinse with bacteria-killing hydrogen peroxide a couple times a week. (Mix two parts water with one part 3 percent hydrogen peroxide… the kind in the brown bottle you find in the drug store. Gargle and swish for 30 seconds and spit out.)
And if you’re overdue for a gum cleaning, get on the horn and call your dentist ASAP.
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