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Benefits of Flossing your Teeth

More than half the adult population of America suffers from gum & dental diseases.

By Kirkland Premier DentistryPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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Flossing Teeth

More than half the adult population of America suffers from gum & dental diseases.

American Dental Association revealed that only16% of Americans floss their teeth every day.

Besides professional scaling and root planning, the most significant factor in thwarting gum disease and tooth decay is maintaining personal hygiene at home.

Without a doubt, flossing plays an important role in maintaining oral health.

Flossing vs Brushing

Few people realize that flossing once a day is as important as brushing. The American Dental Association ADA urges you to brush twice daily for 2 minutes and floss at least once.

Which one is more important?

Well, both. While brushing helps wipe out plaque and debris off the front and back, flossing cleans in between the teeth.

Plaque is nothing like active colonies of harmful bacteria that feed & excrete on your oral structures.

Benefits of Flossing

It is really irritating when you get tiny particles lodging in between your teeth after eating grapes or spinach.

No amount of rinsing or brushing seems to help. Floss aids in removing that. However, not all kinds of judgment are comprehensible, but it is equally important to clean it.

Dental floss is the simplest and cheapest way to ensure oral health. It has many benefits:

Removes Plaque

Plaque or tartar is a thin film that builds up all around the teeth and gum line. The plaque is full of bacteria that release acids that attack the tooth enamel and gums.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease that results in bleeding and sensitivity.

Nonetheless, the process can be reversed with scaling and root planning, which is available.

If you are experiencing such symptoms, you can make an appointment at Kirkland Premier Dentistry on a weekday or weekend as well. We also give tips on how to floss in the right way.

Regular flossing can not only help remove food particles from anywhere in the mouth but also remove plaque that is built up in between any two teeth.

Reduces the Risk of Cavities

No cleaning in between teeth means breeding colonies of bacteria inside the mouth. These bacteria release acids that eat into the hard covering of the teeth, known as enamel.

This exposes the inner surface and makes tiny holes called cavities.

Slowly, the cavities become bigger and deeper, causing tooth decay and making treatment more complex and serious.

Flossing is your best guard against this type of bacterial growth. Brushing alone does not rid you of plaque completely.

Once a day of floss wipes out the hidden food particles that bacteria feed on saving you from cavities.

Prevents Gum Disease

Periodontal diseases prove very harmful for oral and dental health in general. Gums hold your pearly whites in place, and healthy gums do not let spaces be created between the crowns.

The first signs of periodontal disease are bleeding and inflammation called gingivitis.

Although periodontal disease is not the only cause, chronically unhealthy gums can increase the risk of losing your teeth or getting a root canal infection.

While brushing twice daily is vital, it may not safeguard you against periodontal disease.

Untreated gingivitis can cause a more serious infection known as periodontitis that makes the gums recede, loosens the teeth, and causes an inflammatory response in the entire body.

Flossing improves gum health and prevents bleeding even if they already are.

Getting regular deep cleaning done at a dental clinic near you can protect you from periodontal disease as well.

Relieves Bad Breath

When food particles get lodged at unreachable places in the mouth, they invite microorganisms that break them down and release various by-products.

This brings about a bad odor or bad breath as it is commonly called. No amount of mouthwash can keep it away, the smell keeps coming back.

Flossing helps keep the bad breath away, as it prevents tooth decay and gum disease.

Can be good for the heart too

Various studies have shown that oral hygiene plays a vital role in the overall health of a person.

Large-scale research conducted in 2019 found that adults who maintained adequate oral hygiene and health had a lower risk of atrial fibrillation and heart attack.

The Takeaway

If you have not been flossing on a regular basis, visit your dentist right away and get a scaling( professional dental cleaning) done as early as possible.

You do not know what foreign particles are lodged invisibly in your mouth that can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath, to say the least.

After that continue the recommended cleaning routine.

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About the Creator

Kirkland Premier Dentistry

The dentists, endodontists, and dental hygienists at Kirkland Premier Dentistry aim to provide high-quality, comprehensive oral health care to men, women, and families living in and around Kirkland, Washington.

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