It’s easy to neglect flossing. After all, brushing your teeth twice a day is good enough, right? Not quite. Flossing is just as important both for your oral hygiene and oral health as brushing your teeth. A steady oral cleaning regimen that includes both is the best way to prevent harmful diseases and keep you healthy. Here’s why flossing really matters.
Your Teeth Will Be Cleaner
The best time to floss to get the most out of cleaning your teeth is before you brush. When you floss, you remove and loosen much of the plaque and food debris that was there. By brushing after you floss, you’ll be able to get in there and pick up the scraps that flossing might have left behind. Also, flossing before you brush will remove blockages that would otherwise not be able to be removed by just a toothbrush. This means that you’ll be able to brush more effectively, covering more surface area with your brush.
Your Teeth Will Be Healthier
Removing plaque from between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach can prevent gum disease. As plaque builds up on your teeth, it can harden and become what’s called tartar. Tartar can cause gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. Different stages of gum disease can lead anywhere from inflamed gums to infections below the gum line. Regardless, gum disease can lead to major health problems. The simple act of flossing your teeth can not only provide a cleaner mouth, but also a healthier one. By getting ahead of the game and flossing your teeth before the plaque has the chance to turn into tartar, you’ll most likely prevent gum disease altogether.
You’ll Save Some Money
Flossing regularly can prevent expensive oral health issues. You may not be covered for the total cost of a filling or treating gum disease, and depending on your oral health, those costs can start to add up. Gingivitis alone can cost a few hundred dollars when all is said and done. Even more if the disease escalates to periodontitis. Flossing is a small price to pay for keeping your hard-earned cash in your pocket, so make a habit of it!
You’ll Want To Show Off Those Pearly Whites
Smiling is the most natural and happy reaction a human can muster, and nobody wants to be apprehensive about doing it. Sometimes you just need something to pull the piece of spinach out from between your teeth. On top of all the great health benefits, flossing is the best way to make your teeth look as clean as possible. Brushing and flossing daily will not only help you maintain good oral health, but you’ll also have a big, beautiful smile to show off. Check out the Winnipeg Dentists page to learn more about our dental care services.