Most of us don’t floss nearly as much as we should, despite the advice from our dentist. We all know that it keeps your teeth and gums healthy and your dental hygienist happy, but do you really know anything else about flossing? In this post, your dentist has broken down everything you need to know about flossing and its importance.
I Already Brush My Teeth. Do I Still Need to Floss?
Absolutely! Brushing can only clean three of the five surfaces of your teeth. You wouldn’t only wash three-fifths of your body in the shower, would you? No, you wouldn’t, so don’t apply the same logic to your pearly whites. If you only use a toothbrush, plaque and tartar can accumulate between your teeth and along your gumline.
What Are Plaque and Tartar?
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria and food particles that constantly builds up on your teeth, but gets removed with regular brushing and flossing. If you run your tongue over your teeth and notice that they feel fuzzy, that’s probably because plaque has formed on the tooth’s surface.
When plaque is not removed within a day or so, it hardens into a substance called tartar. This material contains millions of bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional. To make matters worse, tartar buildup can make your teeth appear yellower and even brown. This is why it’s much better to remove plaque before it turns into tartar.
What Happens If You Don’t Floss?
The goal of flossing is to get rid of plaque in between the teeth and along the gumline. When these substances are allowed to remain on the teeth, it can result in serious health issues.
The bacteria in plaque and tartar irritate the gum tissue and set off an inflammatory reaction, called gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. This can sometimes lead to bleeding when brushing or flossing. When not treated, gingivitis can progress to full-fledged gum disease, which has been linked with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis, among other health problems.
Fortunately, flossing can prevent all of these issues from taking hold. You should floss every day, ideally before brushing. This will allow the fluoride from your toothpaste to be absorbed into the spaces between your teeth.
Now you see how important it is to floss! If you are still unsure about some aspect of flossing, be sure to consult your dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Christine Laster is a 2000 graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. She opened her own private practice in Raleigh, NC in 2012 and has never looked back. Her professional memberships include the American Dental Association, the American Association of Women Dentists, the North Carolina Dental Society, the Raleigh Wake County Dental Society, and the North Carolina 3rd District Dental Society. For more information on flossing and how it can benefit you, you can contact Dr. Laster’s practice at (919) 787-0355.