Taking care of your oral health is vital for overall health and well-being. Brushing your teeth twice a day is good, but flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and regular dental checkups all combine to create a healthy oral hygiene routine. So, why is flossing so important? Here are 7 benefits of flossing your teeth every day:
1. Flossing Removes Plaque
Plaque is the sticky film that builds up between teeth and around the gum line, which eventually leads to tooth decay and gum disease if not removed. Flossing helps remove plaque by getting in the places that your toothbrush can’t. By flossing, you are preventing detrimental oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing alone cannot reach all the areas between teeth, flossing removes trapped particles between teeth that brushing may miss!
2. Reduced Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Regularly flossing keeps your gums healthy by reducing irritation and inflammation caused by plaque buildup along the gum line. Flossing regularly removes harmful bacteria that can lead to periodontal (gum) disease, which affects more than half of Americans over age 30. Flossing is especially beneficial for those who are prone to bleeding or tender gums.
3. Flossing Prevents Cavities
Brushing your teeth twice a day helps remove some of the plaque buildup in your mouth, but flossing is essential for removing food particles lodged between the teeth that brushing can’t reach. Food stuck between teeth is what causes cavities, so ensuring you reach those spaces is crucial in keeping your teeth healthy and cavity-free.
4. Boosts Your Immune System
Studies have shown that regular flossing boosts your immune system and helps fight off infection better than brushing alone. Flossing removes harmful bacteria in the mouth that can otherwise spread throughout your body and make you more susceptible to illnesses and diseases.
5. Improved Self-Confidence
Feeling embarrassed about bad breath or discolored teeth can affect your self-confidence when communicating with others or engaging in social activities. By flossing daily, you can avoid the buildup of bacteria in your mouth and prevent bad breath. Flossing also helps remove surface stains caused by coffee, tea, or other dark-colored beverages. This helps brighten your teeth and make you ready to walk with confidence, knowing your smile is its best!
6. Your Body Is Overall Healthier
Keeping your teeth and gums clean helps prevent infection from spreading to other parts of the body. Flossing helps reduce inflammation, which is linked to many different types of diseases. That same gum inflammation that occurs along the gum line when you don’t floss can cause heart disease, contribute to diabetes, increase the risk of stroke, and aggravate arthritis and respiratory diseases. Any disease in the body that is triggered by or related to inflammation can be linked back to gum disease. Furthermore, gum disease is always linked to a lack of good and regular flossing practices.
What Happens When You Don’t Floss?
Flossing is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but what happens when you don’t? The accumulation of plaque and tartar on your teeth can cause bad breath, cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. Without regular flossing, bacteria can build up even faster than usual, leading to sensitivity in your gums and teeth. Additionally, missing even one day of flossing is a recipe for a dental visit because it will take a professional to remove the plaque and repair the damage! Taking the time to floss every day will help maintain good oral health and keep your smile looking its best.
When Should I Floss?
It is important to remember that brushing alone isn’t enough – it is essential also to floss every day! Flossing helps prevent a wide range of dental problems while also promoting healthy teeth and gums. To ensure you’re flossing effectively, it is recommended to floss at least once a day – preferably after every meal where food particles are present. Additionally, be sure to use an appropriate length of floss that can easily reach all your teeth – 18 inches is usually sufficient!
Flossing every day is an essential part of a good oral hygiene routine. Flossing helps remove plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease, while also preventing tooth decay, and improving self-confidence. Additionally, it can reduce the risk of inflammation-related diseases in the body. Remember to floss at least once a day – preferably after every meal where food particles are present – with an appropriate length of floss (18 inches typically) to ensure you’re using it effectively! Not only will your teeth be healthier but your breath will smell sweeter too! Taking the time to floss every day will help maintain the best overall oral health.
Need a dental checkup? Call Salling and Tate Family Dentistry at 910-256-9040 to schedule an appointment today. We look forward to helping you maintain your perfect smile!