5 Reasons Flossing is More Important Than You Believe



5 Reasons Flossing is More Important Than You Believe

5 Reasons Flossing is More Important Than You Believe

Chances are that when you visit us for a checkup you are sure to hear the question: “Have you been flossing regularly?” For some patients the answer is an easy yes. Brushing your teeth twice a day, as recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), is a good start, but many don’t follow recommendation to floss at least once a day.

Flossing plays an important role in dental health. Floss is an interdental cleaner, which means it is designed specifically to clean the tight spaces between the teeth. A toothbrush is designed to clean the outer surfaces of the teeth and gums. If you are simply only brushing your teeth those nooks and crannies are left uncleaned.

There is increasing evidence that suggest that proper dental care can help prevent serious diseases, some of which can be life threatening. So the important step of flossing can do much more than keep your smile happy and healthy. Still not convinced?

Here are 5 reasons why you should add flossing to your dental routine today:

 

1- Flossing and brushing are more effective than brushing alone

Often people think that just because they are avid brushers that it’s enough to maintain good oral health, but adding flossing to your routine will give you optimal results that brushing alone cannot achieve. The ADA suggests that flossing before you brush will make brushing your teeth more effective. When there is less plaque between your teeth the fluoride in toothpaste can get to more parts of your teeth.

 

2- Flossing protects your gums

You can avoid the dreading scraping your teeth receive during a dental visit with good flossing habits. Floss plays a major role in the places where the teeth and gums meet. When food particles get trapped there it leads to plaque, and overtime plaque will harden and form tartar, a thick deposit that can only be professionally removed with a scraper. When left untreated it can lead to gum disease and eventually tooth and bone loss.

 

3- Flossing can save you money

Cha-ching! Health costs continue to rise and insurance benefits continue to diminish. This means more out of pocket payments for visits to health professionals. With preventative actions, such as making flossing a habit, you are less likely to find yourself in need of costly treatments.

 

4- Flossing helps prevent other diseases

Research has shown that bacteria that lives inside an unhealthy mouth can be harmful to the rest of the body, which can lead to heart disease, respiratory illness, and diabetes. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, so if periodontal disease (disease of the teeth, gums, and mouth) are a contributing factor, flossing once a day is a simple step to help with your long-term health.

 

5- Brighter whiter teeth

Simply flossing your teeth can make them look brighter by removing plaque and excess food particles that you may not see in the mirror or in areas that your toothbrush doesn’t reach. So if you are thinking of using a tooth whitening agent, try re-committing to daily flossing and twice-daily brushing with some whitening toothpaste. This will often improve the appearance of stained teeth.

Hopefully this list has convinced you reconnect with the abandoned floss in your bathroom closet. Set it on the bathroom sink to help remind you to floss until it become a no-brainer habit. Happy flossing!

 



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