To Floss Or Not To Floss

There’s a good reason why the American Dental Association strongly recommends that you floss at least once day. Using dental floss helps you to clean in the tiny spaces between your teeth and allows you to reach surface area that can’t be reached using your toothbrush. Although some critics question whether or not flossing is actually effective, dentists and oral health care professionals see the direct benefits of regular flossing every day.

However, research shows that flossing does more than just keep your smile healthy and beautiful. It can aid in maintaining your oral health, which has a significant impact on your overall health and well being.

Here are just a few reasons you should be reaching for your dental floss every day:

Floss and Toothbrush Teamwork

Evidence supports that flossing once a day and brushing twice a day is much more effective than simply brushing alone. When you use floss, you’re specifically targeting the plague in those tight spaces where your toothbrush in ineffective.

Gum Health

Flossing is the best way to remove the tiny particles of food that get caught under your gums which eventually cause decay or tartar. Tartar build-up is the number one cause of gingivitis, and can also cause more serious oral health issues. One of the most common issues is severe gum disease called periodontitis, which can result in bone and tooth loss.

Lower Dental Bills

Any activity as simple as flossing that can potentially improve your oral health and help you to avoid dental bills is worthwhile. Preventative care such as flossing and regular dentist visits will protect both your oral health and your pocket book.

Avoid Tartar

No one enjoys having the tartar scraped off their teeth when they visit the dentist. Flossing helps to fight tartar build up by removing the plaque that has accumulated around the gum line. By eliminating plaque before it hardens into tartar, you can keep your teeth and gums much healthier.

If you have any questions about proper flossing or would like to know more about how flossing can improve your family’s oral health, contact us today!