Dental flossing is important and should be included in your dental daily care routine. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Most people would disregard the flossing part, arguing they brush their teeth thinking that’s enough but they fail to realize the importance and many benefits of flossing.
Benefits of Flossing
It’s simple. Flossing cleans the areas of the teeth your toothbrush cannot reach.
A toothbrush cleans the tops and outer surfaces of the teeth and gums while a dental floss cleans the tight spaces between the teeth and the gap between the base of the teeth and the gums.
FLOSSING ELIMINATES CAVITIES AND TOOTH DECAY
Cavities form when plaque accumulates and is left undisturbed for a long time, hardening into calculus or what is commonly known as tartar. When this happens, only the dentist will be able to remove it with the help of a scraper or more extensive dental work. Regular flossing eliminates this chance of cavities to form. The ADA suggests that flossing before you brush helps make brushing more effective. With less plaque caught between your teeth, toothpaste can get to more parts of your mouth and effectively clean it better.
Flossing protects your gums and prevents gum disease
The places where the gums and teeth meet are where flossing plays its major role. Tiny particles of food can get lodged in those places and plaque can potentially form. Flossing allows you to remove the plaque that is still sticky but soft and pliable. This is in its earliest form. Plaque only hardens into tartar if it's been undisturbed for a period of time so regular flossing can keep buildup from happening.
Tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis: red, swollen gums that are the first stage of gum disease. If left unchecked and untreated it can cause periodontitis: a severe gum disease characterized by severe inflammation and eventual tooth and bone loss.
FLOSSING HELPS ALLEVIATE BAD BREATH
Halitosis can be embarrassing for anybody and sometimes bad breath can be caused by leftover food particles lodged in between your teeth. Flossing regularly helps take it out and prevent bacteria to breed and cause bad breath.
FLOSSING CAN HELP PREVENT OTHER DISEASES
A healthy mouth can also help prevent much more serious diseases like heart problems. Remember your oral health plays a pivotal role with the health of the rest of your body. The Centers for Disease Control has acknowledged that oral hygiene plays a big role in preventing diseases. For example, periodontal disease can affect those with heart disease.
FLOSSING CAN SAVE YOU MONEY
Flossing and brushing daily can significantly help reduce health care costs for you and your family in the long run. By flossing regularly you can prevent many potential costly dental work to be done. Flossing plays a big role in preventive dental care.
Start the New Year With Better Dental Habits
New year resolutions often involve health goals – include your dental health in those goals. Visit your dentist. Establishing improved oral health goals should start with a thorough dental exam, oral cancer screening, and cleaning. Use this visit to get a refresher course on proper brushing and flossing techniques, sometimes that’s all it takes to get your oral health under control. Take care of your smile, and if your want to improve on your smile on a budget, the Indianapolis Dentistry Clinic is all about improving smiles – consider Dr. Reese and his staff for your dental needs. Their clinic is located just north of Greenwood, Indiana in Southport, just five minutes south of I-465 on US 31 between I-65 and Highway 37. Call 317-882-0228 for directions or book an appointment now!