Flossing Can Promote Healthy Joints

Flossing does not only make your teeth healthy but your joints, too. Medical science has found bacteria, which are supposed to be exclusively in your mouth, in the synovial fluid of the joints. How did these bacteria find their way to the synovial fluid of the joints? This mysterious phenomenon puzzled the scientists.

The path to the fluid

Scientists who discovered the bacteria are curious to determine the route of transportation or passage. Synovial fluid is supposed to be a sterile environment.  They have traced the DNA first and found that these bacteria are the progeny of the bacteria from the gums. They travelled through the blood stream and landed in the joint fluid. This has been linked to rheumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis.   

The synovial fluid dries up when you reach old age. The presence of bacteria increases the pain and can elevate the damage.

From the mouth to the heart and knees

It is a popular knowledge in dentistry that inflamed gums harbor plenty of bacteria. The bacteria is associated with the plaque causing bacteria in the valves of the heart which is known to be atherosclerosis. It is also the suspect for the inflammation of the heart. Scientists are considering that the same bacteria are causing all this damages in your body.

The bacteria from the gums can get anywhere in your body as long as it rides your blood stream. When they are toured, they can choose any organ to thrive. Your main duty is to keep off the bacteria from your blood stream by strengthening your first line of defense- Your mouth.

You have to choose healthy food that can stimulate salivary production to wash away the debris. You have to avoid sweets because bacteria feed on them and proliferate. The mouth is the gateway to paradise for these bacteria. That is why proper brushing and flossing is so important. Also visiting your dentist for that 6 month check up and cleaning is essential. This is the only way you can make sure you don't develop gum disease and hence have the risk of these bacteria to travel through your blood stream into other parts of the body that they are not suppose to be in and cause life threatening diseases like heart disease, diabetes and other disease like arthritis.

By: Dr. Ladan Zinati