Around 68% of adults floss at least once a week. But is that really enough? Should you make time to get in between your teeth every single day? Absolutely! To help you understand why it’s worth the effort, let’s take a look at the main health benefits of flossing daily. You won’t be underestimating its importance ever again!
How Often Should You Floss?
To keep your teeth healthy and strong, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing every day. Some people like to do it in the morning, while others make it a part of their nighttime routine – it doesn’t really matter as long as you’re doing it daily.
Flossing before brushing is generally recommended as the best order for anyone’s oral health hygiene. That’s because flossing loosens food particles around the teeth, and when you follow it with brushing, it helps to remove all that plaque. This combo ensures that every nook and cranny gets the attention it deserves, leaving you with a spotless, healthy smile.
Daily Flossing Helps You Get Rid of Plaque Your Toothbrush Can’t Reach
As we’ve just discussed, brushing and flossing should go hand-in-hand. Together, they get rid of plaque that collects on and around your teeth, as well as along the gum line. This plaque is created when bacteria mixes with sugary and starchy foods or drinks.
When left untouched, it can compromise your oral health – just that fact should be enough for you to never underestimate the importance of flossing again. If you’re having trouble keeping up with the routine or you find regular dental floss uncomfortable, there are alternatives like water flosses or interdental brushes. For example, here are the benefits of water flossing:
- Gentler than regular flossing while being just as effective,
- Easier to implement into your daily routine,
- Works better with dental implants, bridges, and braces.
It Keeps Your Teeth Healthy and Strong
Plaque contains bacteria that can release acids and attack the tooth enamel. Over time, this can result in cavities. By doing your part of the bargain and flossing daily, you’re decreasing the risk of developing tooth decay. This is incredibly important, as tooth enamel is something you can’t get back.
What’s more, plaque can harden into tartar, a strong calcified deposit that accumulates along the gum line. This is something you can’t get rid of yourself – you’ll have to visit your Charlotte dentist in SouthPark for professional teeth cleaning. If left untreated, tartar buildup increases the chances of developing gum disease, which, in turn, can result in various complications. In that regard, daily flossing helps keep your smile healthy and your teeth strong.
Flossing Every Day Can Help With Bad Breath
When food particles get stuck in between the teeth, and plaque starts to form, bacteria produce sulfur compounds that have a less-than-pleasant odor. This is the main cause of bad breath, known as halitosis. Therefore, flossing every day helps to keep foul breath away, preserving that minty freshness after brushing your teeth.
The Benefits of Flossing Every Day Go Beyond Just Oral Health
What might come as surprising is the fact that daily flossing can have a positive impact on your overall well-being. From heart conditions to respiratory diseases, our oral health and our bodies are deeply intertwined – holistic dentistry and numerous studies attest to that fact. Treating your smile is a crucial part of taking care of your overall well-being.
Maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine is also very important for people with diabetes, as they are more susceptible to gum disease. In all the aforementioned cases and many more, our overall well-being starts at the mouth, so we should take good care of it.
A Healthy, Clean Smile Brings Confidence and Ease
Of course, with all that plaque, teeth can get yellow over time, especially if you’re a regular wine, tea, or coffee drinker. While there are plenty of teeth whitening treatments that can help with discoloration, prevention is always the best medicine. Keep up with your oral hygiene routine, flossing included, and you’ll be preserving the brightness of your smile!
What’s Also Important for Great Dental Health?
Now that you understand why flossing is an integral part of a good oral hygiene routine, let’s take a look at what else you should be doing:
- Use a soft-bristled brush and a fluoride toothpaste,
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months,
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria effectively,
- After you’ve had something sugary, drink a glass of water to flush it out,
- Visit your Charlotte, NC, dentist at least every 6 months for a cleaning and exam.
Aspire Dental Wellness Can Keep Your Smile Happy and Healthy
A floss a day keeps the dentist away, but your oral health journey is not complete without a dentist in Charlotte, NC, whom you can trust. Our team, led by Dr. Sladjana Bjelac, can provide customized solutions to keep your smile on track. From gentle teeth whitening to advanced laser dentistry for cavities, we’re committed to helping you get your pearly whites to not just look great but feel great, too. Contact us today, and let’s talk about your oral health and what you can do to improve it!
