Flossing is perhaps the most overlooked and underappreciated ways to care for your teeth, but it can be just as important as brushing to maintain healthy gums and teeth. Your floss can reach areas that your toothbrush misses, which means skipping the floss can actually contribute to gum disease, decay, and bad breath. Here's what you should know about the importance of flossing teeth daily.
It Cleans Between Teeth and Gums
When you brush, you are only reaching the outside surfaces of your gums and teeth. Interdental cleaners like floss work to disrupt and remove plaque that builds up along the gum line where a toothbrush can't reach.
Dental Floss Can Make Brushing More Effective
According to the American Dental Association, interdental cleaners can actually make brushing your teeth more effective. By removing more of the plaque between your teeth, the fluoride in your toothpaste can reach more areas of your teeth and mouth. This improves the protective effects of fluoride.
It Protects Your Gums from Disease
Most people are familiar with the symptoms of a cavity, but early gum disease can be easy to miss. If your gums are tender, red, or bleed when you brush, you may have the beginnings of gum disease. This is where floss comes in. Floss plays a big role in removing plaque and food particles from the spaces where the teeth and gums meet to prevent a build-up of hardened plaque that causes gingivitis.
It May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Several studies have found a link between heart disease and oral health because bacteria can spread from the mouth to other areas of the body through your blood. Cardiovascular disease like clogged arteries and stroke have been linked to inflammation from oral bacteria. People with chronic gum disease are at the highest risk of heart disease due to poor oral health. Regular flossing is an important way to lower your risk for gum disease and potentially improve your heart health.
Flossing Only Takes a Few Minutes
The importance of flossing teeth daily can't be overstated. It takes just a few minutes to use dental floss every day, but it can protect your long-term oral health. According to some research, floss can even help guard against systemic disease like heart disease and diabetes by keeping harmful oral bacteria at bay. If you aren't sure if you're using the right technique to floss or you want to do more to protect your oral health, contact Holladay Family Dental to schedule your appointment today.