Let’s be honest here: flossing your teeth isn’t exactly the most fun part of your daily routine. But like eating and breathing, it’s pretty important to our oral and overall health. While many people think they can get by on simply brushing their teeth, this can be dangerous, and put your teeth, gums, and overall health at risk for many serious problems down the line.
Here are just a few benefits to flossing your teeth that may just motivate you to pick up that string and clean the 33 percent of your teeth’s surfaces that brushing alone can’t get to.
Attacks Plaque
One of the best reasons to floss your teeth is dental floss’s amazing powers to attack plaque and clear that pesky, dangerous buildup from between your teeth. This means less unsightly tartar buildup, and a reduced risk of cavities, too.
Freshens Breath
Got bad breath? It can be hard to tell, but chances are if you’re neglecting to floss, you could have at least some degree of halitosis. That’s because plaque and food debris can decay between your teeth (yuck!) if not flossed away.
Clears Stuck Food
Sometimes we only floss when we can feel food caught between our teeth. While that’s a great idea, it shouldn’t be the only time you pick up a container of dental floss. In fact, even if you can’t feel food stuck between your teeth, sometimes you can still have little bits of food stuck between your teeth that you can’t feel. Flossing clears this away, giving you fresher breath and cleaner teeth.
Reduces Disease Risk
Did you know that you can get periodontal diseases from not flossing? That’s because bacteria along the gumline can get into the gums and cause inflammation. The good news is that this bacteria can be flossed away, keeping your gums protected. Better still, reducing your risk of periodontal disease also reduces your risk of other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation.
Cuts Cavities
When you have an excess of plaque on your teeth, you are more likely to get cavities. Thankfully, flossing removes much of this plaque, reducing your risk of developing preventable cavities!
If you have concerns about your gums or any other aspect of your oral health, contact Dr. Abelar today!
