Flossing: most people don’t want to do it, yet as you’ve heard time and again, everybody should.
Despite the hassle of running a fine string between each of your teeth, flossing every day is just as important to your dental health as brushing. Once you get in the habit, it’s not as inconvenient as it seems, and there are tons of benefits!
Here are 6 reasons why you should develop a habit of daily flossing:
1: Preventing Plaque Build-Up
Without daily cleaning, the gaps between your teeth become a haven for plaque – a sticky residue where bacteria thrive. Brushing removes the plaque from the tops, fronts, and backs of our teeth, but only flossing can remove the plaque from their sides. When you’re not flossing each day, you only fight half of the battle against plaque, and thus half the battle against tooth decay and gum disease.
2: A Bright, Confident Smile
When you flash a smile, the last thing you want people to notice is unhealthy teeth and gums. Along with regular brushing and trips to the dentist, flossing is a key part of ensuring a healthy smile for that next group photo.
3: Preventing Tooth Decay and Cavities
The bacteria that live in plaque turns the sugars in your food and drink into acids. Left unchecked, these acids can lead to painful tooth decay and cavities. By removing plaque through daily flossing, you also remove these bacteria, allowing you some peace of mind about the health of your teeth.
4: Preventing Gum Disease and Bad Breath
Likewise, the bacteria between your teeth can also damage and infect your gums, leading to gingivitis and halitosis. Nobody likes bad breath, and if left untreated, gingivitis can turn into a more serious condition called periodontitis, which causes weak, receding gums and possible tooth loss.
5: Avoiding Extra Dental Procedures
Just like bad breath, nobody likes paying for unexpected surgeries and procedures. Treatments for gingivitis and periodontitis can range from a deep cleaning called a scaling and root planing to gum grafts and even tooth extractions. Not too mention that you might need fillings if cavities are allowed to form. However, these costly procedures may be avoided with a good at-home routine of daily flossing.
6: Preventing Heart Problems
The bacteria that like to breed between your teeth don’t always stop at your gum line. These bacteria can spread and cause unexpected health problem. The link between flossing and heart health has long been suspected, and daily flossing is one step you can take to help prevent heart problems in the future.
As tired as you might be of hearing it, daily flossing remains one of the best things you can do for the health of your teeth and gums. To make flossing more convenient, consider trying some new tools. Floss picks, for example, require less effort than the traditional length of floss, and water flossing make is a great 21st century solutions to the tedium of flossing.
If you have any questions or concerns about the health of your gums and teeth, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
