Flossing is one of those dental hygiene tasks that may seem tedious, but it’s essential to your oral health. Whether you use traditional string floss, a floss pick or a waterpik, it is important to make the time to do this task once per day.
First, unroll about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one middle finger. Leave about an inch of floss to work with.
1. Removes Plaque
One of the most important reasons to floss is that it removes plaque, which can harden into tartar when left unchecked. Tartar is much more difficult to remove than plaque and requires the help of a dental professional. Flossing helps to keep plaque at bay by removing it from the surface of teeth and between them.
Bacteria that feeds on sugary and starchy foods is what creates the familiar fuzzy feeling on our teeth that we know as plaque. Brushing can get rid of a good portion of this bacteria, but around 40% of plaque is located between teeth and cannot be removed by toothbrushes alone. Flossing can remove this hard-to-reach plaque, and it prevents gum disease, cavities, and bad breath from developing.
To properly floss, grab 18 inches of string floss and wrap most of it around your middle fingers (leaving a few inches between each finger) so you can easily manipulate it with your thumbs and index fingers. Slide the floss between each of your teeth and wiggle it gently to break up any food stuck in between them. Move from tooth to tooth and make sure you get the back sides of your last molars as well.
2. Prevents Gum Disease
Flossing removes bacteria-laden plaque and food debris between teeth that brushing cannot reach. This prevents a build-up of hardened plaque, or tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist. You can find a good dentist in Fishers Indiana which you can contact by clicking the hyperlink attached here! Flossing also helps prevent gum disease, or periodontitis.
Gum disease develops when bacteria accumulate under the gum line. This leads to gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums. If left unchecked, this can progress to periodontitis, or severe gum disease, which can cause the gums to pull away from the tooth and cause bone loss. Symptoms of this include sore gums that bleed easily and bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing. Some patients even lose their teeth to this condition.
Although large, real-world studies on health behaviors are difficult and expensive to perform, flossing has been shown to be effective in preventing gum disease and related issues like sensitive teeth and cavities. It is also an inexpensive, easy-to-do, and safe habit to incorporate into your daily routine. Flossing removes the acid-producing bacteria that cling to teeth and gums, and it promotes blood flow to the gum tissue, which reduces bacterial infections. This is why large, well-controlled studies tend to support the benefits of flossing.
3. Prevents Bad Breath
Bad breath is usually caused by a build-up of food particles and bacteria in the mouth. Brushing teeth at least twice a day, using a fluoride toothpaste, and flossing removes these foods and keeps your breath fresh. It is also important to eat plenty of vegetables and herbs and avoid pungent foods like garlic, onions, or coffee.
Flossing is essential in controlling bad breath because it gets rid of food scraps in places your toothbrush cannot reach. The feeling of a fresh clean mouth after flossing is often desirable. Keeping a packet of floss next to your toothbrush and setting an alarm on your phone for the time to floss will serve as a reminder to get it done.
Keeping up with a good dental care routine prevents halitosis (bad breath), gum disease, and other health problems that have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses. Taking the time to brush, floss, and rinse with a strong antiseptic mouthwash can make all the difference in your oral health and hygiene. The results are well worth the effort! It is also a great way to teach your children the importance of good dental hygiene habits at a young age.
4. Prevents Cavities
The mouth is a complex organism, with teeth anchored to the jaw bones by roots and covered in soft tissue (gums) that are tightly packed together. This structure is highly susceptible to plaque formation, especially in the areas that are hard for toothbrush bristles to reach. That is why the ADA recommends flossing before brushing – to get rid of the bacteria in these tight spaces before it can harden into tartar (calculus).
Plaque is constantly building up on the surface of teeth throughout the day, and if not removed frequently, it can calcify into a hard yellow substance called tartar, which only a dental professional can remove. Flossing disrupts the process of plaque turning into tartar, and prevents cavities.
Tooth decay occurs when sugar from food and drinks attacks the enamel of a tooth, creating holes (cavities) in the tooth. Flossing removes the trapped sugar before it can cause damage, and reduces the risk of cavity formation. Regular flossing also helps to prevent gingivitis, which can lead to a host of oral health problems, including gum disease, bad breath, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. Gingivitis can also affect overall health, causing heart disease and diabetes.
5. Prevents Bad Taste
Not flossing on a regular basis allows food particles to remain in your mouth. These lingering particles can eventually become smelly and have an unpleasant taste to them. This can leave you with bad breath, which is an embarrassment and will make people feel hesitant to talk to you.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to floss daily. You can also swish with mouthwash to help freshen your breath, but it isn’t a replacement for flossing.
Flossing removes the food particles between your teeth that cause a smorgasbord for bacteria. This bacteria will produce an odor that makes you want to heave, which is why flossing is so important.
It is recommended that you floss once a day, preferably in the morning or at night before bed. If you aren’t sure how to properly floss, it may be helpful to watch videos online or ask your dentist for help. Once you have mastered the technique, it is a great habit to have that will benefit your oral health greatly. This will keep your mouth healthy and save you from more serious oral problems down the road. In addition, it will give you a confidence boost knowing that your smile is as clean and beautiful as it can be!
6. Prevents Periodontitis
Floss is an excellent tool for removing gunk from the tight spaces between teeth and along the gumline where a toothbrush cannot reach. These areas are prone to plaque buildup, which can harden into tartar if it is not removed regularly. Plaque and tartar harbor harmful bacteria that can lead to gum disease and bone loss. Flossing disrupts the formation of biofilm and removes the bacterial colonies that cause these conditions.
Many people avoid flossing because they think it hurts their gums or it is too time-consuming. However, flossing is easy to do and it only takes a few minutes each day. It is also less painful when it is done regularly and the results are worth the extra effort.
Few things are as unpleasant as the scraping of tartar from teeth by a dental hygienist, which is why daily flossing prevents this build-up before it starts to form. When plaque hardens into tartar, it is much harder to remove and can only be removed with a dentist’s help. Flossing regularly removes plaque and can even prevent it from developing into tartar in the first place. This keeps the gums healthy and prevents more serious diseases that can be life-threatening.
7. Prevents Infections
When bacteria in the mouth build up, they release harmful acids that erode teeth and gums. If left unchecked, this can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral infections. Flossing, along with brushing, removes these bacteria and prevents them from causing serious health problems.
Flossing removes food particles and bacteria from between your teeth, in areas where a toothbrush can’t reach. This helps to avoid a buildup of plaque, which can cause gingivitis and other dental problems. It also reduces the risk of developing other health issues, including heart disease and diabetes.
There are many different types of floss available, but no reputable research has shown that one type is better than another. However, it’s important to use a proper flossing technique to get the most benefit from your daily routine. To do this, you should gently wrap the end of the floss around your index and middle fingers, then insert it between each tooth and underneath the gumline. Then, use a gentle rocking motion to remove all the residue from between your teeth. Avoid pulling or pushing the floss, as this can irritate your gums and cause inflammation. It is also important to floss your back teeth regularly, as these are often harder to reach.
