By now everyone knows about the important benefits of dental flossing—or at least, you should. It helps keep your teeth clean by removing plaque and bacteria from hard-to-reach parts of your mouth like between your teeth and behind your molars. Yet, for some reason, a large portion of the population doesn’t floss on a regular basis and they also fail to teach their children how to floss properly. Dental flossing is a critical part of your daily oral hygiene maintenance routine and should be practiced almost as often as brushing your teeth.
Here are four important benefits of dental flossing that you should know about.
It Prevents and Fights Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems faced by Canadians. In fact, it’s estimated that approximately 7 out of 10 Canadians will experience gum disease at some point in their lives. Even people who practice strict oral hygiene maintenance are still at some risk of developing gum disease in their lifetimes. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease starts with the formation of plaque buildup between the teeth and along the gum line. From there it continues to progress into an infection that’s symptomized by inflammation, redness, tenderness and bleeding. Thoroughly flossing your teeth every night before going to bed helps to remove the majority of the food particles and plaque buildup that can lead to gum disease over time.
It Prevents and Removes Tartar Buildup
Neglecting to floss your teeth can lead to severe tartar buildup over time. Contrary to what you might think, tartar isn’t just a dental problem that older people deal with. Anyone can develop tartar if they don’t take proper care of their teeth. Tartar is the hardened deposit that sticks to your teeth when plaque isn’t removed. An overabundance of tartar buildup can lead to serious periodontal disease and infections which can negatively impact your overall health as you get older. Adding flossing to your nightly bedtime routine can help prevent this from happening.
Cleans Between Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth is important, but unfortunately it can’t always deliver the deep clean that your mouth requires to maintain optimal oral health. Flossing allows you to reach those trouble spots like between your teeth and the back of your mouth to remove more food particles and plaque. Combined with regular dental cleanings, flossing is an essential aspect of your oral hygiene routine.
Eliminates Bad Breath
Food particles that are left in your mouth eventually develop and attract a lot of potentially harmful bacteria. What happens to food when it’s been left out for a long time? It begins to rot and develops a pungent odour. The same thing can happen to food particles that are stuck in your teeth over a long period of time. If you have persistent halitosis, then you might want to consider adding flossing to your nightly oral hygiene routine.
In addition to your at-home oral hygiene routine it’s important to visit the dentist every four to six months for regular cleanings and checkups.
Located in The Kingsway neighbourhood, Princeview Dental Group is always happy to accept new patients. We’ll administer a full oral checkup, thorough cleanings and we’ll give you advice on how to properly floss between your teeth for the best results. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our dental hygienists!
