When it comes to good oral hygiene habits, flossing regularly is often recommended by dental experts as a way of staying healthy. Most people are taught early in life to floss regularly but over the years, this great habit may eventually be discarded. Yet flossing offers many incredible benefits to the health of your teeth and even the overall health of your body.
What Is Flossing?
Flossing is the use of thin filaments to remove food particles and other debris that may be stuck in hard-to-reach areas of your teeth. The specially-made filaments are thin and so are able to reach areas of the mouth where toothbrushes may not effectively reach. Floss may come with a floss threader that helps in the handling of the floss, making it easier to work the filaments around the teeth.
So what are the benefits of flossing regularly?
Reduces Bad Breath
Have you ever noticed that if you fail to brush your teeth or floss, you often acquire bad breath? This is because bad breath is caused by bacteria that build upon and between your teeth. This bacteria feeds on sugar in the food particles and breaks it down to acid. Among many other things, these by-products of this process can lead to bad breath. Flossing helps to remove food debris between your teeth and this, in turn, prevents bacteria from building up on your gums. The end result is a fresh healthy breath all day.
Prevents Gum Disease
The bacteria that we have talked about in the previous paragraph do more than just cause bad breath. They also are responsible for creating plaque, which if left unchecked can lead to gum disease. Plaque erodes the outer cover of the tooth and eventually leads to cavities or holes that reach down to the root of the tooth. Eventually, these cavities become infected and if not treated can lead to serious problems such as periodontal disease. Flossing regularly is an easy way to manage the buildup of plaque in your mouth as it removes both plaque and food debris that bacteria thrive on.
Supplements Brushing
While regularly brushing your teeth is an effective way to control the build-up of bacteria in your mouth, the fact of the matter is that brushing rarely reaches all the parts of your mouth. This is a combination of many factors including the shape of the toothbrushes which may be unable to brush effectively in tight places. This is where flossing regularly can take up the slack to keep your mouth ultra-clean. The thin filaments can move easily between teeth, removing all the plaque and food particles.
Saves You Money
As you may know, rectifying medical conditions can be super-expensive, and managing the health of your teeth may save you a ton of money. For example, periodontal disease is not just expensive to treat but may lead to a situation where you require dental implants to replace lost teeth. The net result is financial loss, physical pain, and many other negative effects that could be easily prevented through regular flossing. Good dental health starts with finding the right dentist. Dr. Alex Rubinov is an experienced and highly trained dentist based in New York. His dental center features some of the latest diagnostic equipment, giving you the assurance that you are getting the best dental care possible. Contact his practice today to book an appointment.