Flossing is a dental hygiene procedure that involves the use of a cord of thin filament to remove food and dental plaque from the spaces between teeth. Compared to regular brushing, this is a more effective technique for prevention of periodontal diseases and tooth loss. Despite this, people often give reasons why they don’t floss. Some people say that they simply don’t know how to floss. For others, it is the discomfort that comes with flossing for the initial few times before getting used to it. However, if you really value your dental health, then take a moment and consider these top 5 reasons why you should be flossing.

1. Flossing is more effective than brushing
If the main reason you brush your teeth is to ensure good breath and to keep your teeth and gums disease free, then know you can achieve superior results by incorporating flossing. Your teeth have five surfaces that require regular cleaning. Brushing only cleans three of these: top, inside and outer surfaces. However, flossing takes care of the two other surfaces that a regular toothbrush can’t access: the spaces between the teeth, as well as between teeth and gums.

2. Prevention of tartar buildup
When plaque builds up in the spaces between teeth, it hardens rapidly to form tartar. This attracts bacteria, which produce acid that eats up the tooth enamel, leading to teeth sensitivity and tooth decay. Tartar accumulation on teeth is quite a hard substance to get rid of, and often requires the attention of a dental professional. However, you can prevent the buildup of such unwanted substances on your teeth by flossing regularly.

3. Disease Prevention
Flossing does a great job at preventing dental health complications. However, did you know that the onset and escalation of other more life threatening conditions such as oral cancer, diabetes and heart disease can be traced to poor oral hygiene? With proper brushing and flossing, you ensure the good health of your entire body system.

4. Saving Money
People with dental problems require more that the recommended twice a year visits to the dentist. Be it for simple tooth filling, extraction or root canal treatment in extreme cases, the cost of some dental procedures can run into thousands of dollars. However, by ensuring proper hygiene through flossing and brushing of teeth, you cut on the number of visits to the dentist and the complexity of any procedure that might be necessary to restore your dental health.

5. Promotion of Good Oral Hygiene
Proper dental hygiene goes beyond mere cleaning of teeth to ensuring the health of gums, as well as prevention of bad breath (halitosis). You can suffer bad breath while still brushing your teeth regularly, as plaque builds up in areas that the tooth brush can’t reach. You can however prevent such conditions by flossing twice daily to remove food particles between your teeth, as well as in the spaces where teeth and gums meet.

The above top 5 reasons you should be flossing give you the power to take proper actions to save your oral health and to protect yourself from worse health complications. We would be glad to hear from you, in case you need further information on flossing, or assistance with any other dental problem. Talk to us today for a chance to solve your dental health issues for good.