 | Michael L. Jones, president of US Floss, Inc., has been a lawyer practicing in Wichita, Kansas, for thirty-five years and has been associated with US Floss, Inc., for over seven years. He grew up in Wichita where he attended Chaplain Kapaun Memorial High School, thereafter graduating from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and then receiving his law degree from the University of Kansas. He is married to Suzanne Jones and they have four adult children scattered about the country. He has served as president of the Kansas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, presently sitting on its Board of Directors. Likewise, he has served on the boards of several other charitable and business entities. His favorite activity is getting together with his family but his other likes are golfing, gardening and running (he just completed his first marathon in Chicago). You may contact Michael at (316) 832-0444. |
Dental
2003-12-01 08:41:00
Flossing for better overall health
: I rarely floss my teeth. I read recently that flossing and cardiovascular health are linked. How?
Michael Jones
Question: I rarely floss my teeth. I read recently that flossing and cardiovascular health are linked. How?Answer: After reading from the sources: National Women's Health Resource Center, and The American Dental Association, you might want to re-examine your priorities. A growing body of research suggests that good oral health, including brushing and flossing daily, not only cuts down on tooth decay but may prevent serious health problems, including heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems and pre-term, low birth weight babies. Because oral health is so critical, the NWHRC and an oral health product company, have launched "Brush Up on Wellness", a national campaign to increase public awareness on the signs, symptoms and dangers of periodontal (gum) disease. Women in particular are being targeted not only because they tend to be the ones who buy the toothpaste and make the dental appointments in the family but because of their risks for gum disease and other diseases which have been linked to gum disease. Women are at greater risk for developing a number of health conditions associated with advanced periodontal disease, such as heart disease (the #1 killer of American women), diabetes and osteoporosis. A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, has even suggested a link between low birth weight babies and gum disease. Eighteen percent of all low birth weight deliveries can be linked to advanced periodontal disease and that a periodontal infection is potentially as important as smoking or alcohol use during pregnancy. Nearly one in four women ages 30 to 54 has periodontitis, an advanced state of gum disease in which the bone and gum tissue that support the teeth break down. Also, nearly half of women ages 55 to 90 who still have their teeth have periodontitis.
