As children, we are often told to brush our teeth twice daily; once in the morning and once more before we go to bed. But how many of us were told to floss? Your dentist has probably recommended and advised you to do so, but how many of us actually took heed of this?
Toothbrush alone will not be able to reach the areas of the teeth where food particles often get trapped. Left to their own devices, these particles can wreak havoc to your teeth, and if you want to eliminate these scraps, you should floss daily.
Want to improve your oral health? Here are 5 key reasons how flossing regularly can positively impact your dental health.
Fights Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental concerns in our lives, and one of the main reasons for this is failing to floss after a meal.
Food particles that get stuck between your teeth will cause tartar and plaque, which contains a plethora or harmful bacteria and acids, to build and gradually destroy your teeth.
Flossing, when done correctly, does an excellent job of getting into that tight space between the teeth, remove bacteria, and protect your teeth from decay.
Prevents Gum Disease
At first, going to the gym can leave you breathless, tired and sore. Eventually, you get used to it and you will see the health benefits.
Similarly, your gums might bleed when you floss for the first time. Doing it daily lets you get used to it and eventually, you’ll see a vast improvement in your dental health.
That’s because flossing is a critical component of any oral healthcare regimen and is vital in preventing gum disease from occurring.
Avoids Tartar Build-Up
Plaque forms naturally in your mouth constantly. Thankfully, it is quite easy to remove from your teeth with simple brushing and flossing techniques.
However, if plaque is left on your teeth for too long, it hardens into tartar which affects the aesthetic appearance of your teeth and harms your gums.
Flossing regularly can remove the plaque hidden between your teeth and gums and prevents the occurrence of tartar.
Kills Bad Breath
Bad breath can turn a simple conversation into an uncomfortable and unpleasant situation. If you have bad breath, it can make you feel self-conscious and afraid to open your mouth.
Bad breath isn’t caused by simply forgetting to brush your teeth or stock up on mints. Believe it or not, it is actually forgetting to floss after a meal!
How is this possible? It is a result bacteria and food particles collecting between the teeth. Flossing regularly helps to remove bacteria, keeping your breath smelling fresh.
Brighten Your Smile
Flossing is important if you want to keep a bright and beautiful smile. Not only does it help to prevent gum disease but also tooth decay that leaves a yellow tinge on your teeth.
Gum diseases can cause receding gum lines, causing your teeth to look longer. By keeping your teeth and gums healthy, you can also ensure they look great too.
We cannot stress enough that regular dental visits are only part of the equation to keeping up with your dental health. Diligent dental self-care is the other part. If you do a good job at flossing and brushing your teeth, your dental visits will go much smoother. Make flossing a daily habit to keep your teeth at its best!