For me, flossing every day is like coming to a complete stop at every stop sign - I know I probably should, but for some reason (laziness being the most likely) it just doesn’t happen. Oh sure, I brush religiously and use mouthwash most of the time, but let’s just say those free rolls of floss the dentist gives me have been picking up more dust than plaque.

I’m not alone, though. One recent survey found that 28 percent of Americans said they floss regularly, with other studies putting that number slightly lower. While this statistic does make me feel less guilty about my flossing habits (or lack thereof), it does not bode well for us as a nation. Flossing, as it turns out, can help prevent a variety of health problems.

Many past studies have shown that passing some waxed string between your molars can help prevent bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. Newer research suggests, however, a link between gum disease and both heart attacks and strokes. Take this news one step further and, yep, that’s right – flossing may actually lower your risk of having a heart attack and/or stroke. I don’t know about you, but the words “heart attack” and “stroke” are much scarier to me than “bad breath” and “cavities.” Last time I checked, neither heart attacks nor strokes could be fixed by popping a mint or getting a filling.

It’s hard to get in the habit of doing something that’s not really very pleasant, but I might give flossing another chance. It’s not like I don’t have dental floss, after all. Who knows, maybe I’ll even try stopping at every stop sign.