Flossing is an often-overlooked step of an oral health routine, yet flossing every day is key to preventing serious health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and heart problems — not to mention severe gum disease.
While you may not like flossing every day, there are many reasons why so many dentists urge patients to do it at least once a day. Dr. Byron C. Desbordes, a skilled and professional dentist based in Baltimore, MD wants you to know the reasons you need to floss every day.
1. Flossing removes cavity-causing bacteria from hard-to-reach places
Did you know that over 500 different species of bacteria live in the mouth? Most of them are not harmful to us, but many of them cause cavities. Bacteria living between your teeth eat the food particles and plaque gathering there. If all this isn’t cleared away by flossing, their digestive process can produce acids that eat away your enamel and cause cavities, which puts your oral health at risk.
2. It prevents bad breath
When bacteria is allowed to flourish in our mouths and between our teeth, the wastes from their digestive process can cause bad breath. Removing these bacteria and the leftover food particles that they feed upon from between teeth can help prevent bad breath as tooth decay and gum disease.
3. It reduces your risk of gum disease
The bacteria that can live between teeth that are not regularly flossed can not only cause tooth decay but also gum disease. What begins as just a little bleeding can turn into full fledged gum disease that can quickly progress to tooth loss without you even noticing other symptoms. Regularly removing plaque from between teeth by daily flossing is a vital step in keeping gum disease from taking hold.
4. Gum disease is directly linked to serious health problems
More than just causing painful, inflamed gums, gum disease can also negatively impact your overall health in very serious ways. Research has established links between gum disease and an increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as low birth weight in babies born to mothers with gum disease.. The best method of preventing gum disease is through brushing and flossing regularly — at least twice daily for brushing and at least once every day.
5. Brushing alone only gets 60% of the plaque off of your teeth
Although brushing is important to preserving your oral health, nearly half of the plaque in your mouth cannot be reached with your toothbrush alone. That remaining 40% of plaque is actually between teeth and flossing is the only effective way to remove plaque from between teeth.
6. Flossing saves you money in the long run
By preventing gum disease, cavities, and bad breath, flossing not only helps your mouth but also your wallet by helping your avoid complicated, uncomfortable, and expensive dental procedures. The simplest, most affordable way to prevent oral health problems is with a toothbrush and some dental floss.
Expert Dental Care in Baltimore, MD
Dr. Desbordes is an experienced dentist in Baltimore, MD who offers patients affordable, compassionate dental care in a professional and welcoming environment. To schedule an appointment with our office, call (410) 216-4023 or request your appointment online today!