Having good oral hygiene is imperative if you want healthy gums and teeth. In fact, some dentists consider flossing as one of the most essential parts of keeping your mouth clean and healthy. But what are the benefits of flossing? This article will explain just how beneficial it can be for both your mouth and your overall health when you floss regularly.
What Is Flossing?
Flossing your teeth regularly is an essential part of maintaining your oral health. However, it can be easy to forget about this simple task in the daily grind of life. The key is consistency. Set a reminder on your phone or a routine you can follow every day. To make sure your teeth stay healthy and clean, the best way is to floss at least twice a day.
Why Is Flossing Important?
Every day, our mouths are inundated with food particles. While it may be tempting to brush those tiny bits away, brushing alone won’t do a great job of removing them. That’s why flossing is so important—to remove bacteria that could cause bad breath and plaque buildup on your teeth that can lead to gum disease.
When you floss properly, you can remove more plaque than you would if you only brushed your teeth—and that means better oral hygiene overall. Learn why flossing your teeth every day can do wonders for your smile and overall well-being below:
Improve Appearance
One of the first things people notice about your smile is how white your teeth are. Unfortunately, that all-important shade can easily fade if you don’t floss every day. Daily flossing is an effective method to maintain your healthy gums and prevent infection, and it removes plaque buildup that could lead to periodontal disease. But brushing your teeth only goes so far. Brushing is limited to areas that are reachable by a toothbrush, and flossing can help you get to hard-to-reach places between teeth where debris or plaque could be hiding.
So flossing is an essential habit for maintaining a clean mouth. Your dentist might also recommend flossing if you have orthodontic wire in place that prevents regular brushing. Moreover, many people have sensitive teeth, which means they can easily bruise if they brush too hard or their gums bleed when they brush aggressively.
Prevents Gum Disease
Gum disease is a very serious condition. If left untreated, it would lead to tooth loss and infection in other parts of your body. Yet despite its potential health risks, only 28% of Canadians floss five times a week. If you care about your teeth and gums, start flossing daily.
Reduce Your Chance of Developing Heart Disease
Poor oral hygiene often leads to a wide variety of health issues, ranging from bad breath to heart disease. Gum disease may be linked to two of Canada’s leading causes of death: heart disease and stroke.
Moreover, not flossing regularly can lead to gum disease. People with periodontal disease have more than four times the risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases than those without periodontal disease. The small blood vessels (and accompanying capillaries) in your gums allow oxygenated blood to deliver nutrients and remove waste products—just like your veins do elsewhere in your body. If there are breaks or gaps in those vessels because of gum inflammation and infection, it could spell trouble for your cardiovascular system down the road.
Stop Tooth Decay Between Teeth
Bacteria love to eat sugar, and tooth decay is an infection of bacteria eating sugary food particles. Your mouth is a perfect place for plaque bacteria to grow: warm, moist, dark, and full of food. Without flossing daily, it’s easy for bits of leftover foods to get stuck between teeth where they’re chewed on over time by bacteria. Over time, those little bits are turned into cavities—little holes in your teeth that will need fillings or even extractions if you don’t take care of them immediately.
Freshen Your Breath
Do you have an issue with bad breath? This can be caused by plaque buildup, which can be triggered by skipping your flossing routine. No one wants to talk to you if you have bad breath, and it’s not just because they’re being mean. Bad breath is an obvious sign of poor oral health, which means your overall health could also be in danger. Maintaining regular dental visits and proper care at home are great ways to ensure your smile and breath are as healthy as possible.
Dos and Don’ts of Flossing
Proper flossing helps prevent gum disease and decay. Plus, it can make your smile more attractive. To help you out, here are some oral hygiene tips and the dos and don’ts of flossing:
Dos of Flossing
- Do be gentle when flossing in between your teeth.
- Do make sure to floss below the gum line. This is where bacteria and plaque hide.
- Do ask for feedback from your dentist about your oral health.
Don’ts of Flossing
- Don’t floss too hard. You might cause bleeding gums.
- Don’t reuse dental floss. Dental floss is made for one-time use only.
- Don’t forget to floss daily. Make it a habit.
Pro TipNot only does regular flossing help you practice good oral hygiene, but it can also help you maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, as flossing after eating will make you less tempted to snack. |
Is Flossing More Important Than Brushing?
There are many conflicting views about flossing. Some say that brushing alone is enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy. On the other hand, others say you should floss and brush concurrently. The truth is, brushing can only do so much. It can remove debris from hard-to-reach areas. But it can’t eliminate every bit of plaque and bacterial buildup—pair brushing with flossing regularly for the best results and good dental habits.
Visit Dentistry on Seventh for More Useful Information
At first, keeping up with a daily flossing routine may seem like too much work. But once you get into the right oral care routine, it will become second nature—and could save you from future dental bills down the road. After all, it’s easier to keep up with flossing than it is to deal with gum disease as an adult.
At Dentistry on Seventh, we want you to make informed decisions regarding your dental health. You can discover more about our services and what we believe in by visiting our site. If you need dental help, contact us today! New patients are always welcome at Dentistry on 7th. Our team of dentists in Hamilton offers a variety of dental treatments like cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, teeth whitening, and more.
FAQs on Why Is Flossing Important
What happens if I never floss?
Accumulated plaque and food particles can create a breeding ground in the spaces of your teeth for bacteria to grow. This can lead to gum disease and cause tooth loss down the line.
Is mouthwash better than flossing?
Mouthwash can help get rid of bacteria and freshen your breath. However, it does not do the same job as flossing. The right floss product removes the debris that accumulates in hard-to-reach areas.
Can flossing cause problems?
Flossing can cause problems if you floss incorrectly. Do not floss harshly. Use a light hand to avoid harming your gum line.