When you visit the dentist for a cleaning, one of the questions they likely ask you is whether or not you floss daily. Many dental patients admit to not flossing regularly. For the best results, you should floss every day as a part of your daily oral hygiene regimen. Learn about a few reasons why flossing is very important to keep your teeth healthy.
Flossing Helps Clean Your Teeth
When you floss prior to brushing, any food particles and plaque will be loosened and easier to remove with your toothbrush. The toothbrush is better able to clean between the teeth and get them cleaner when you floss first.
Flossing Prevents Decay
If you leave plaque on and in between teeth, the bacteria in the plaque can cause decay. When plaque remains on the teeth for a long time, you risk decay and subsequent cavities. You can get cavities between the teeth, which are more difficult to notice right away. When you get cavities between the teeth, you may need more invasive treatment to remove the decay.
The decay will also weaken your teeth. If you do not seek treatment, you risk your teeth breaking. Broken teeth need replacement or repair using special dental appliances such as implants, bridges, or crowns.
To help better remove the plaque and particles from between teeth, you can use a high-pressure water flossing system, which is a good option for those with inflamed gums. A water flossing system makes the process more comfortable while still getting the job done.
Flossing Prevents Plaque Buildup
Plaque is a thick substance that collects on the teeth. Bacteria primarily caused by sugar in food and drinks is what makes up plaque. When you floss, you remove the plaque you cannot easily access by brushing alone. Without flossing, the plaque continues to collect on the teeth and contributes to gum disease.
When you look at your teeth, you may not see any obvious signs of plaque. This is misleading and some people may not floss because of this belief. However, once you floss, you can more easily see the plaque hidden between your teeth.
Flossing Helps Prevent Gingivitis
When plaque remains on the teeth for a long time, it will eventually get hard. This hardened plaque is known as tarter. You cannot remove tarter yourself; only a dental hygienist can remove tarter.
When tarter remains on the gums, the gums can become inflamed and infected. This infection can result in gingivitis. Gingivitis is painful and can cause you to lose your permanent teeth.
Flossing Keeps You Healthy
When you floss as part of good oral hygiene, you are protecting your overall health. Gum disease caused by a lack of flossing can cause other health issues, such as heart disease. The bacteria from gingivitis can get into your blood and cause deposits of fats within your circulatory system. And this fat attachment can cause blood clots. When the clots loosen, you can have a heart attack or a stroke.
You can also suffer from hardened arteries, which results in high blood pressure.
Flossing Benefits Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should make extra effort to floss daily. When a woman is pregnant, her gums are more sensitive and are more prone to bleeding. The sensitive gums may cause pregnant women to floss less because it can be more painful. But the lack of regular flossing can result in gum disease and could result in low birth weight or a premature birth of the baby.
Flossing is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to keep your teeth healthy. If you need a dentist, please contact
Eastland & Professional Dental Center.
