Why Flossing is so important for Oral Health

Flossing should be a part of your daily good oral hygiene habits. It is one step that typically gets forgotten because many people believe they can avoid problems with oral health simply by brushing alone. If you are consistently going to your dentist in Tri Cities WA and they are telling you that you need to floss more it is because it is an extremely important step when it comes to taking care of your teeth and gums.

Taking a few extra minutes to floss can help prevent a number of conditions and diseases. Keep reading to find out some of the most important reasons you should listen to your dentist and floss regularly.

Avoid Gum Disease

Dental plaque consists of harmful bacteria which contain viruses and microscopic parasites. If there is plaque in between the teeth that is also near the gums, this can cause inflammation which could also cause pain. This inflammation can then lead to gum disease. The very first phase of gum disease is called gingivitis. If this is not taken care of right away, you can develop periodontitis which is a more severe phase of the disease. At some point, this can also lead to tooth loss.

Avoid Tooth Decay

Simply brushing by itself does not clean the entire area around the tooth when there is a tooth right next to it. Water flosser helps to get in between the teeth and removes food debris as well as dental plaque. Tooth decay is typically formed in the inter-proximal region which is in between the teeth. If food and is not properly removed from between the teeth it can cause bacteria which can lead to tooth decay and eventually tooth loss.

Avoid Bad Breath

If the plaque that forms in between your teeth is not properly found and cleaned it will eventually cause you to have bad breath. Gum disease and tooth decay are caused by the plaque found in between the teeth and can also lead to bad breath. This is why it is extremely important that you floss on a regular basis.

Prevent Tartar Build-up

If plaque forms around the teeth and is not removed it can then cause you to develop tartar on the teeth. Tartar also has the ability to cause gum disease. When you consistently clean the plaque on and around your teeth, you can prevent tartar from ever forming. You may have to visit your dentist in order to remove the plaque around the teeth via a proper cleaning of the teeth.

Reduce Risk of Heart Disease

If you have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease, then it is extremely important that you floss regularly so that bacteria does not travel to the heart causing the cardiac tissue to be impacted. By keeping your teeth and gums bacteria-free, you are also decreasing your risk of developing heart disease. Any bacteria that gets into the body causes damage to it.

Reduce Complications with Diabetes

Gum diseases have the ability to causes complications with diabetes. People who suffer from diabetes tend to heal more slowly so if bacteria travels to their organs and they develop a condition it can be more difficult for them to heal. That is why it is very important to make sure you brush and floss regularly in order to prevent bacteria from forming in the first place.

These are just some of the reasons why it is so crucial to brush and floss regularly. Plaque can form easily in between your teeth if you do not properly care for them. The idea that brushing alone is good enough is absolutely untrue. If you are not flossing regularly then it is important that you add it to your oral hygiene regimen right away.

Contact us to schedule your next dental appointment.