Hate to Floss? These 3 Reasons Will Change Your Perspective

If you hate flossing or find it very tedious and cumbersome and time-consuming it is very likely that you skip it.  But brushing is not enough to maintain your oral health. Here are 3 reasons that will change your perspective towards flossing.

Why is flossing important

Each tooth has four surfaces on the side and one on top. Brushing can clean only 3 surfaces. The remaining surfaces that are adjacent to other teeth are a trap for food, bacteria, and plaque build-up. It also cleans these interdental surfaces.

Reasons for flossing

Prevents gum disease:

If you don’t floss regularly, bacteria and plaque start to accumulate in the spaces between teeth. This build-up releases toxins which irritate the gums. It becomes a vicious cycle as plaque hardens in a few days to calculus which attracts more plaque. The constant irritation leads to inflammation of the gums and a condition called gingivitis. If left untreated, this progresses to involve the underlying bone leading to problems such as bleeding, red and swollen gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and sometimes even tooth loss. This condition is called Periodontitis. Flossing will prevent gum disease.

Avoids tooth cavities:

Since floss removed the gunk and plaque in the interdental area, it will prevent bacteria from accumulating in this space. If you floss regularly, you will keep your teeth much cleaner and prevent tooth decay and cavities. So here is another motivation for you to flossing.

Decreases the risk of development of other diseases:

Recent research has established a link between oral health and general wellness. The bacteria that cause periodontitis (gum diseases) can enter the blood and can lead to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Thus, the importance of good oral hygiene goes beyond a beautiful smile. Regular flossing can keep your body healthy.

So just a few minutes spent flossing a day can go a long way in maintaining a healthy mouth and a healthy body. Now that you know the importance of flossing, follow your dentist’s advice –  brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. If you find using the floss thread cumbersome, you can use a floss holder for convenience.

If you have concerns about your dental health or experience pain or sensitivity, visit your dentist at Signature Smiles dental clinic in Mumbai. It is one of the best places for general dental treatment, including dental cleaning, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, dentures, etc. Our dentists will examine you, understand your concerns, and then suggest a suitable treatment plan tailored to your needs.