Why is flossing as important as brushing?

It’s true. Flossing and brushing go hand-in-hand. Every time you visit your dentist for a dental checkup, there’s one recommendation you’re definitely going to hear: “Floss your teeth regularly”.

Flossing and Brushing are More Effective Than Brushing Alone

Flossing is the most important yet the most difficult personal grooming activity. It is a vital part of a good dental hygiene regimen as it can remove plaque from areas where toothbrush cannot reach. This tool has been designed to eradicate excess food particle and bacteria from the closed spaces between the teeth.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing everyday for optimal dental health. ADA suggests you to brush your teeth after flossing as with less plaque between your teeth, the fluoride in toothpaste will reach out to more areas of your mouth.

What a lot of non-flossers don’t understand is that floss is an interdental cleaner that can remove the stubborn tartar lodged between your teeth, and can reduce bacteria formation significantly.

Flossing Prevents Periodontal Diseases

Periodontal disease is a gum disease that results from poor oral hygiene. When your teeth are left untreated for long time, the gums can pull away from the teeth and the spaces in between become infected. If not treated timely, the bacteria-laden tartar can do much damage to your teeth and then sooner or later they may become loose and ultimately have to be removed. Flossing reduces the chances of developing gum diseases and makes your breath smell better. Floss can reach into the area between your teeth and gums, eliminating plaque that your toothbrush can’t move.

Flossing Reduces Risk of Contracting Other Disease

Gum diseases can lead to effects that are not just limited to bad breath and discolorations. In-depth study and research has proved that the bacteria prone unhealthy mouth is at higher risk of contracting heart disease, respiratory illness, and even diabetes. These life-threatening systematic infections can be avoided only by flossing regularly. It only takes a few minutes each day to floss your teeth, and adds a small amount to the costs of toothbrushes and mouthwashes, but this small step assures long-term health benefits.

Say to Hello to a Dazzling Smile

Just flossing your teeth makes them look shiny and brighter. You might not feel the difference, but it surely does the good. For instance: Think of a mattress before and after it is vacuumed. You may not notice a lot of dust particles and dirt on it on a daily basis, but after it is vacuumed, the dirt is removed, and the mattress looks as good as new. Similarly daily flossing accompanied with brushing twice a day can do much good to your teeth than you can have ever imagined. You can even benefit from the stain-removing properties of brushing and flossing together.

All-in-all, both brushing and flossing are the mainstay for a healthy, pearly white smile. Stick with it; adopt this healthy and complete oral care routine. And don’t forget to visit your dentist for regular dental checkups.

Leave a Comment