One new tool is predicting that flossing could be responsible for adding an extra year to your life. But does the data add up?
A recent article from Business Insider has raised some serious attention around the importance of flossing your teeth at least once a day. The article focuses on the work of Thomas Perls, a physician and professor at Boston University and the creator of the Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator. He designed the calculator as a tool for predicting your life expectancy based on your lifestyle, family history, nutrition, and exercise habits. Although only one question on the test addresses the question of flossing, Perls claims that a simple yes or no answer to that particular question can either add or subtract a year from your life.
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So, does the claim hold up?
While the article lists a slew of health issues that could stem from not flossing — plaque leading to tartar buildup, leading to receding gums, leading to periodontal disease, which can lead to heart disease, mouth cancers, diabetes, and even kidney failure — I remained fairly skeptical about the dangers of not flossing daily. So, I consulted with my own dentist, Joseph Gelo of Absolute Dental, to get his opinion.
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“Flossing goes right alongside regular brushing and rinsing as part of a good oral care routine,” though he said it was “almost impossible to determine exactly how many years good flossing habits could add to your lifespan.”
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In the end, I decided to take the test for myself. It was comprised of about 50-60 questions and only took a few minutes to complete. The calculator predicted I would live to the ripe age of 87. Maybe I don’t need to floss, after all.
Instagram allows you to see exactly what inspires people and how creativity is drawn from their everyday life. We use Instagram to capture what makes us smile, what brings joy to our life, and what we are passionate about, and the accounts listed below are sure to inspire you in turn.
Here are our 20 top creative Instagram accounts that you should be following today.
Brandon Stanton walks the streets of New York City taking street photography, and he gets his subjects to open up about life details that even many family members may not know about them. It makes you smile and connect with the images at a new level.
Carin Olsson moved to Paris and is documenting every part of her experience, from the macaroons to the Eiffel Tower with all of its shimmering lights. If you want to go to Paris but can’t get there today, Carin will take you.
George Bryant offers up more than his love for cooking Paleo cuisine as he shares more about life, joy, and happiness. His coined hashtag is #hugsandbacon.
Ida Skivenes has developed a knack for food art. From the world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Strawberry Fields Forever, she has recreated it all with food.
Grandma Betty is fighting cancer and is inspiring others to smile and be happy in life. She brings a smile to your face instantly and is like having your grandma right beside you.
Tania Ahsan captures the world of her cute bulldog, Maya, on her adventures in New York. Maya makes appearances that will make you smile, laugh, and inspire you to go out and create something special.
Jacob Santiago creates stunning, vibrant images around New York City, showcasing the architecture and streets. I’m sure you haven’t seen the streets of NYC like this before.
Julie Lee showcases how everyday produce can create colorful art designs. At first glance, you think it is just a design; then, a second take illustrates that it is really fruits and vegetables.
Willie Kessel brings beach life right to your smartphone. Amazing surf and lifestyle images that take your mind off of all of the work and stress in your life.
Nick Ulivieri is a talented photographer who loves to capture the windy city of Chicago and skies, especially during storms. His images are gorgeous and make you realize how wonderful life really is.
Jo Jerry’s landscape photos around Santorini, Greece, make you want to book a flight immediately. The bright colors and simplicity in the images make his photos stand out from the rest.
GoPro uses fan-sourced images on their account that are all captured with a GoPro. Creativity to the max is used in these images and range from the grocery store to incredible surf.
Vin Farrell is a creative who works on the agency side for large clients and has a knack for photography. His iPhone captures amazing aerial images around NYC and the world.