Regular flossing removes plaque, food particles and debris from between teeth. If not removed regularly, plaque can build up and lead to the formation of tartar. 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. Think of a carpet before and after you vacuum. You may not see the dust and dirt, but once you vacuum and the dust and dirt are removed, the carpet looks brighter. The same principle applies to flossing. Once daily flossing can help remove harmful plaque bacteria, and in turn, help prevent gingivitis, an early form of gum disease from taking root.
The importance of flossing cannot be stressed enough. Daily flossing doesn’t just keep your teeth healthy—practicing good oral hygiene contributes to your health in other ways, too.
It also helps prevent tooth decay and can reduce your risk of developing gum disease by removing plaque. Pairing your flossing routine with twice daily tooth brushing with an electric toothbrush can further promote healthy gums and teeth. Recent studies have shown that regular brushing with an electric toothbrush can prevent tooth loss.
In addition, flossing allows you to regularly examine your mouth for any swelling or redness. Flossing gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your teeth, tongue, and gums.
How Does Flossing Help Your Gums?
Once daily flossing helps remove the harmful plaque bacteria that can lead to gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. When left untreated, gingivitis can progress into a more advanced form of gum disease known as periodontitis. In fact, periodontal disease is the primary cause for tooth loss in adults and chronically unhealthy gums can increase your risk of losing your teeth or a need for a root canal. Even though brushing your teeth twice daily is essential for good oral hygiene, brushing alone may not protect you from gum disease that can result in tooth loss.
Many people who suffer from sensitive or bleeding gums may be tempted to avoid flossing for fear of making their bleeding gums worse. But in fact, flossing can improve the health of your gums, thereby helping to prevent them from bleeding. Even if you were inconsistent about flossing during your childhood or teen years, it’s never too late to start or maintain good oral hygiene, and you can improve the health of your gums with the flossing right.
As a matter of fact, flossing daily (combined with brushing and a rinse) increases protection against gingivitis by removing plaque and food particles, keeping your teeth and gums healthy, while giving you a beautiful smile. Flossing is essential to your smile’s health, regardless of your age. And yes, even kids should floss to get used to a healthy oral care routine. You might be asking, “Why is flossing so important?”, “What is the importance of flossing?”. Here’s the answer: By flossing, you remove plaque and food particles in between your teeth and gums and help prevent gingivitis.
On average, one in eight adults in the United States has some form of gum disease. And it’s not just older people. Gum disease can start at a very early age, especially if you don’t have a proper oral care routine that includes flossing every day.
Flossing and Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It is also the most treatable. Flossing is a step to keeping your gums healthy.
Smart Prevention Starts with Floss
It’s actually pretty simple, flossing is a step that can help prevent the signs and symptoms of gingivitis by removing plaque. When combined with twice daily tooth brushing, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy.
When to Floss Your Teeth? Benefits of Flossing After Eating
It’s not always convenient to brush your teeth in the middle of the day. Yet, even flossing after a meal can help promote good dental hygiene and make your mouth feel cleaner, regardless of whether you’re trying to lose weight or just avoid mid-afternoon munchies.
When you do reach for a healthy snack, keep in mind that some popular choices, like pretzels or raisins, and other dried fruits, are good for your health but tend to stick between your teeth. Dried fruits are also high in sugar, which can cause tooth decay along with bacteria. Fortunately, flossing can help keep your teeth clean, so you don’t undermine your healthy efforts with a cavity at your next checkup.
No matter what type of diet you stick to, you can keep your mouth and teeth looking and feeling great by following a regular oral care routine of brushing your teeth twice daily and daily flossing.
Does A Dental Condition Prevent You from Flossing?
Daily flossing is an important component of plaque removal, but it’s one that many people avoid because they find flossing painful. But the right flossing products can make flossing easy and more comfortable. Contact Dr. Soto The Downey Dentist to find out more about flossing and regular teeth cleaning or book an appointment today via our website.
