Since you were very young, you have been told by your parents and dentist that you should be flossing every single day to maintain optimal oral hygiene. However, many people only take the time to floss a couple days before their dental checkup or when they have a stubborn piece of food lodged between the teeth. There are many reasons why you should be flossing once every single day. Read on to learn more from your dentist about why flossing is important.
Removing Plaque
Plaque is that sticky substance that builds up on the surface of your teeth. To remove this, you need to brush and floss. When you don’t, it can harden into tartar which can buildup along the gumline and result in both cavities and periodontal disease. It is impossible to avoid plaque all together, but you can significantly limit it by keeping up a good oral hygiene routine. This way, it won’t cause you any issues in the future.
Prevents Discoloration of the Teeth
No one wants their pearly whites to be any color other than white. When you have buildups of plaque and tartar between the teeth, this can cause them to appear more yellowed and discolored. For people who use teeth whitening treatments, they work much more affectively on teeth that don’t have a sticky layer of plaque on them. If you still have some of this sticky substance between your teeth, you will not be getting the best possible results that you’re looking for. When you floss beforehand, you are allowing the whitening agent to make more direct contact with different surfaces of your teeth. In the end, you will have a more uniform, whiter smile!
Prevents Periodontal Disease
When you don’t take the time to remove plaque from the gumline, you can eventually experience some severe oral health issues. When plaque turns to tartar, it can irritate your gum tissue and lead to gingivitis. This means inflammation, irritation, and bleeding during or after brushing. Luckily, gingivitis is usually reversible. It is when it progresses to periodontitis that you run into trouble. This infection can cause irreversible gum recession, loose teeth, tooth loss, and jawbone deterioration.
Fresher Breath
You don’t want to be walking around with gross-smelling breath. However, you will be if you aren’t removing food debris and plaque from between your teeth with dental floss on the regular. The bacteria in your mouth will continue to linger and multiply. In addition to periodontal disease and cavities, you can expect halitosis (bad breath).
Flossing is a crucial step in your oral hygiene routine. By flossing daily, you can prevent dental problems in the future and continue to show off a healthy smile!
About the Author
Dr. Anthony Giamberardino is an experience dentist who has been working in the field for more than three decades. After graduating with his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Harvard College, he earned his dental doctorate from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Currently, he is a proud member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. To learn more about oral hygiene or to schedule an appointment at his office in Medford, visit his website or call (781) 396-3800.