Most of us have been told by our dentist why it is important to floss every day. But we often forget amidst all the hustle and bustle of our lives. You might find yourself doing a year’s worth of flossing before your annual teeth cleaning, but this isn’t beneficial. Flossing isn’t something you do to impress your dentist. Instead, it’s an important part of your oral health that protects you from developing a variety of diseases. Also, it’s important to model positive behavior to help children develop good habits as they grow. Flossing is one of those habits. So, if you need a refresher or want to teach your children why it’s important to floss, learn more about five benefits of flossing daily.
1. Gum Disease Prevention
Periodontal disease, also known as just “gum disease,” causes red, sore gums and can lead to serious infection if left untreated. If your gums are sensitive or even bleed when you brush or floss, you likely have a build-up of bacteria and plague that needs to be removed.
Flossing daily can help prevent bacteria from getting caught in your teeth, alleviating the source of gum disease.
2. Flossing Gets Below the Gum Line
You should brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time, but this is alone is not enough to remove all the bacteria and food particles left in your mouth. Flossing daily gets deep into your teeth and removes the hard-to-reach bacteria your brush can’t remove.
When you floss every day, you remove harmful bacteria and prevent build-up that can lead to infection, cavities, the need for dental sealants, and tooth decay.
3. Flossing Keeps Your Breath Fresh
Bacteria in the mouth cause bad breath. Brushing regularly and even cleaning your tongue can help, but flossing is another way to combat bad breath. Your mouth and teeth will feel fresher while your breath smells nicer. Avoid relying on mouthwash and instead take a closer look at your gums; you might be surprised that your chronic bad breath comes from food or tartar caught between your teeth.
4. Flossing Daily Protects You from Heart Disease
Although doctors don’t fully understand the case yet, there is a definitive connection between gum disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. One theory is that bacteria in infected gums enters the bloodstream, which makes its way through your veins and into your heart. Another suggests that an infection in the mouth increases inflammatory substances in the blood, which leads to clotting and slow the flow to the heart.
Either way, flossing is one of the simplest ways you can combat oral infection and protect your health. Heart disease is common but extremely preventable. However, some people are more likely to develop it due to genetic factors; the majority of new cases have lifestyle influences that can be quickly changed.
5. Flossing Helps Prevent Tooth Decay
People who floss daily are less likely to have other dental problems like tooth decay. The small effort it takes to clean between your teeth once or twice a day can give you a lifetime of health benefits. Although here at Lovett Dental Corpus Christi, we love to see all of our patients’ lovely smiles, we want to keep them out of our office for anything other than routine check-ups and dental cleanings!
As a family dentist, we strive to give you the information you need to protect your overall health and instill good oral hygiene habits in your children. If you would like to schedule an appointment or need emergency dental services, contact us at 361-986-1117.
