“How often do you floss your teeth?” is a common question that you get when you visit the dentist. Many people agree that they are fairly consistent with brushing their teeth but it is very common to skip the step of flossing. Although lightly taken, here are some key reasons why flossing should be an essential habit.
Improves The Appearance Of Healthy Gums
Some people who have sensitive or bleeding gums refrain from flossing for the fear of making their bleeding gums worse. If you know a few things about bleeding gums it is that this condition is mainly caused by the buildup of plaque at the gum line. As flossing removes the build-up of plaque and food particles in the gum line, it can significantly help you prevent gum bleeding and in keeping your gums healthy.
Prevents Gum Disease
Plaque building up in the teeth can lead to gum diseases. Research and certain dentist discussions also suggest that the bacteria that are typically found in plaque cause an inflammatory response that contributes to gum diseases.
Gingivitis is a common gum disease that you may experience as a result of poor brushing and flossing routine. If left untreated this can lead to more serious infections like periodontitis. This can cause your gums to recede or pull away from your teeth. In severe cases, your teeth may lose bone support and become loose and even can cause an inflammatory response throughout your body.
Maintaining a regular flossing habit can effectively help in avoiding the development of these issues significantly.
Reduce The Risk Of Heart Diseases
One of the insidious dangers of gum diseases is that they play a major role in the development of heart diseases. Research has also revealed that those who experience gum diseases have a 20% chance of developing heart diseases. One of the theories ruling this study is that gum disease spurs on the narrowing of the arteries, leading to cardiovascular disease.
Prevents Cavities
Similar to how flossing prevents the development of gum diseases, flossing is also a crucial step in avoiding cavities. Anything caught in between the two teeth can result in cavity-causing plaque within a time span of just two days. Practicing a regular flossing habit can prevent this occurrence to a great extent.
Cleans All Parts Of Your Teeth
Brushing only cleans the surfaces of the teeth that are exposed. The brush typically moves along the sides and top surfaces of the gums and teeth to remove any buildup and bacteria that might be present.
However, the toothbrush can’t reach parts of the mouth such as the space between your teeth. This is exactly where flossing helps, as it’s designed to help you get to those hard places, allowing you to clean the parts of the teeth that cannot be reached by a toothbrush.
Freshen Your Breath
A professional dental hygienist reports that bad breath is generally caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. When you don’t floss regularly, these bacteria can accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and in between the teeth. The sulfur compounds released by these bacteria is what makes your breath smell. Flossing as part of your brushing routine can help you significantly avoid bad breath and gives a pleasant start to your day.
