Flossing may seem like a trivial part of your oral hygiene routine, but it’s actually one of the most important. Flossing helps remove debris from between your teeth, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. If you don’t floss regularly, plaque buildup can cause tooth decay or periodontal disease.
Flossing Helps Prevent Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease that can occur when bacteria builds up around the teeth and gums. The word “gingiva” actually means “gum” in Latin, so you can see how it relates to this condition!
Gingivitis is caused by plaque — which shrinks your gums by forming sticky pockets between the teeth and gum line. These pockets collect bacteria, which leads to inflammation and bleeding. A healthy flossing routine helps prevent gingivitis by removing plaque from under the gum line where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Flossing Cleans Between Teeth
Flossing is the best way to get rid of food particles, plaque and bacteria that have built up between teeth. It can also prevent gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated. Flossing helps prevent cavities by cleaning away plaque from the surface of your teeth. Bacteria in plaque produce acids that cause cavities when they eat away at your enamel. Flossing also helps you avoid periodontal disease by removing bacteria that cause gum inflammation and damage tooth roots as well as gums themselves.
Flossing Can Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious condition that can cause other health problems. It can even lead to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. How to prevent gum disease:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time and floss once a day.
- Change the way you brush if you notice sensitivity or bleeding while brushing.
- If you experience gum sensitivity, switch to an electric toothbrush. They’re gentler than manual brushes and make it easier to brush your back molars, where most plaque tends to collect.”
Removing Plaque Reduces Risk of Developing Tartar
Tartar is a hard deposit that forms on your teeth. Like plaque, it can lead to gum disease and cavities. You can remove tartar through regular brushing and flossing—and by doing so, you reduce your risk of developing tartar in the first place.
Flossing Can Improve Overall Health
Flossing is a great way to keep your mouth clean and healthy. You know it’s important to brush your teeth, but did you know that flossing can improve your overall health? Flossing helps prevent heart disease and diabetes by getting rid of harmful plaque buildup. It also prevents cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease and more!
Flossing Removes Food from Between Teeth
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that collects on the surface of your teeth, underneath the gums. If plaque isn’t removed regularly (every day!), it hardens into tartar and causes gum disease. Flossing can help prevent this from happening by removing plaque from between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach it. It also helps remove pieces of food or debris that may be stuck in between teeth, which can become trapped as they decay to form cavities over time if not removed regularly.
About Dr. Fred Wong of Blue Ocean Dentistry in Glendora, California
Dr. Fred Wong and the staff at Blue Ocean Dentistry use the latest available dental treatments, equipment, and materials – all of which make a marked difference in our patients’ experiences. We are committed to helping our patients achieve optimal dental health. We creatively combine dental science and artistry — which can literally redesign your smile. Since even a subtle change in your smile will help you to project self-confidence and high self-esteem, we love helping you feel good about yourself. We deliver the finest dental care at the most reasonable cost and accept most dental insurance plans as well as CareCredit. For more about the dental treatment plans we offer or to schedule an appointment, call today (626) 852-6999.