Part of everyone’s anxiety when going for a routine dental check-up is whether your dentist will ask if you floss. Your hands sweat, you refuse to look away from the ceiling, and you inevitably tell a little lie: you promise you have been flossing.
According to the Canadian Dental Association, only 28% of Canadians floss daily. For the rest of the population, flossing is a question to be dodged and an aspect of oral care that struggles to be incorporated.
If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day, then it’s no big deal, right? Unfortunately, it is. Studies have shown that a combination of brushing and flossing reduced gum diseases such as gingivitis far better than brushing alone.
So, before you toss the floss, let’s consider why adding this to your oral care routine is so important.
- Regular flossing helps prevent the formation of plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria. Plaque produces acids after you eat and drink that damage tooth enamel and cause cavities and gum disease. When plaque collects on your teeth, it can harden into tartar if undisturbed over time. Flossing is a great preventative measure for gum disease and weakened teeth.
- Plaque isn’t the only gum disease to be wary of since it leads to periodontal disease when untreated. An advanced form of the disease, known as periodontitis, can lead to extreme tooth decay and root canal issues. Flossing routinely will help remove bacteria at the base of the teeth, which is the gum.
- Flossing can also reduce the risk of cavities. Without plaque damaging the enamel on your teeth, there is a much lower risk of your teeth being vulnerable to cavities.
- Bad breath may be a side effect of food particles being stuck in your teeth. Over time this food starts to decay and causes bad breath. Flossing is a simple way to avoid this problem!
- A study conducted in 2019 showed a link between good oral hygiene, including flossing, and a lower risk of heart disease. Flossing not only benefits your oral health but the overall health of your body.
Flossing has many benefits and only adds a few minutes to your self-care routine. It is an essential preventative measure that is easy to implement. Floss at least once a day before you brush your teeth, and your gums and teeth will be thankful.
Floss daily to prevent plaque, gum disease, and cavities. Boost overall health and avoid bad breath. Visit a Langley dentist near me for a routine check-up. Your teeth will thank you!
