Do You Really Need To Floss? Yes!

A beautiful smile does a lot for you. Studies show that smiles make us more attractive, lower stress, elevate our mood, and make us look younger! But, what have YOU done for your smile lately? Nearly 50 percent of adults 30 years old or older have periodontal disease (like gingivitis or the more advanced periodontitis) in the U.S. and that number spikes to 65 percent in adults 65 years old or older. Gum disease is both preventable and reversible if you take the time to show your gums a little bit of extra love daily. That love looks like flossing. READ: 5 Oral Symptoms You Should Not Ignore I know, it’s the hygiene chore most of us love to hate. In 2015, an American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) survey showed that 27 percent of U.S. adults lie to their dentist about how often they floss their teeth, with 15 percent saying they’d rather wash dirty dishes than floss. We know we’re supposed to do it, but make every excuse not to.  Dr. Wayne Aldredge, President of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), spoke with BlackDoctor.org about gum disease and the best steps to prevent it. You’ll be flossy in no...