As Australia’s local Dentist, Pacific Smiles Dental has over 110 centres to allow convenient access to the dental services you need.
Published on November 4, 2026.
Last reviewed on November 4, 2026
by Pacific Smiles Dental.
Who Would Have Thought a Piece of String Could Help Protect Your Heart?
When you think about flossing, you probably think about getting food out from between your teeth or keeping your smile looking and feeling clean.
But flossing is about more than just your teeth.
Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body, and looking after your oral health can play a role in your overall health and wellbeing in more ways than you’d expect. So, who would have thought that something as simple as a piece of string could be part of your daily health routine. Well Medibank Live Better does and this month is running a Flossing Challenge (skip ahead if you’re keen to jump straight in)
Your mouth’s bigger connections
Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria. When plaque builds up around your teeth and gums, it can lead to inflammation and gum disease and that inflammation doesn’t always stay in your mouth.
- Heart health: Severe gum disease has a strong link to heart disease. The bacteria and inflammation in your mouth are thought to play a part.
- Blood sugar and diabetes: Gum disease and diabetes feed off each other gum problems can make blood sugar harder to manage, and higher blood sugar can make gum disease worse.
- Pregnancy: Hormones during pregnancy can make gums more sensitive to plaque, and gum disease left untreated has been tied to a higher chance of early birth and low birth weight.
- Breathing and lungs: Bacteria from your mouth can end up in your lungs, raising the risk of respiratory infections, especially as we get older.
None of these means flossing alone prevents these conditions. But it’s a good reminder that your mouth isn’t separate from the rest of your body it’s part of it, and the same daily habit that protects your smile is doing quiet work elsewhere too.
A few minutes for your mouth can become a lifelong habit
The good news is that looking after your gums doesn’t have to be complicated.
Aim to clean between your teeth at least once a day. While traditional string floss is one option, you can also use floss picks, interdental brushes or water flossers, whatever works best for you and your mouth.
If you’re not currently flossing every day, don’t worry about being perfect. Start with once a day and make it part of your routine.
Build on your habits and keep your floss somewhere you’ll see it, next to your toothbrush, so it’s harder to forget.
And if your gums bleed when you start flossing, don’t automatically stop. Bleeding can be a sign that your gums are inflamed, particularly if you’re not used to cleaning between your teeth. If bleeding continues, speak with your dentist.
Take the Flossing Challenge with Medibank Live Better
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t knowing what you should do it’s turning it into a habit.
That’s where a challenge can help.
Through the Medibank Live Better program, eligible members can take part in health and wellbeing challenges designed to encourage simple, healthy habits.
The 7-Day Flossing Challenge is a great way to use the next seven days to make cleaning between your teeth part of your daily routine. It might not sound like much, but small habits can make a big difference when you stick with them.
Read further on how best to Floss
Your mouth is worth looking after
Flossing might seem like a small part of your day, but the ripple effects can reach further than your smile. So next time you reach for that little piece of string, remember you’re not just cleaning between your teeth.
You’re looking after your gums, your heart, your blood sugar and your whole self.
Haven’t booked a check-up in a while? As a Medibank recognised provider with over 110 locations, we’re here when you need us. We’re open early, late, and on weekends, so it’s never been easier to make the most of your health cover.
Book an appointment with Pacific Smiles Dental and talk to your dentist about the best way to care for your teeth and gums.
Medibank Live Better challenges, eligibility, availability and rewards may change. Check the My Medibank app and current Live Better terms and conditions for the latest information.
