Your parents and dentists over the years have probably told you all about why you should floss daily with dental floss. We have all heard that it’s good for oral hygiene and looking after teeth. But how important is it for your health?
For many people, brushing their teeth is a common part of the daily ritual. Getting ready in the morning or preparing for bed at night for almost everyone is something done without even thinking. Pulling the toothbrush out, squeezing the toothpaste and spending a minute or two cleaning your teeth is just another part of the day – like putting on clothes or doing your hair.
Flossing only takes a minute or two out of your day, and it’s as easy as pulling it out and applying it similar to a toothbrush. However, only half of Australians choose to include flossing as part of their day.
Dental floss is a vital part of any oral hygiene ritual. It’s just as critical as brushing for healthy teeth and gums, and deserves a part in everyone’s daily hygiene practice. Not only does it help prevent common dental issues like tooth decay, bad breath and serious gum disease, it also keeps your smile looking its best.
Here are several reasons why you should start flossing today.
Flossing Stops Cavities
Over time from eating and drinking, harmful bacteria slowly builds up on your teeth. These create acids that make your teeth decay and form cavities – a pit that is formed in a tooth as a result of the decay.
If a cavity has formed on one of your teeth, it has to be repaired by a dentist. If the decay gets worse without being treated, you risk needing to get the tooth removed completely. This can become painful and require a crown or other form of dental implant to cover the damage and repair your smile.
Flossing on a daily basis helps to remove this bacteria to slow down the decay process. Brushing is important, but it only sweeps away some of the bacteria, leaving a residual amount to build over time. Flossing gets rid of this extra amount to keep your teeth healthy and decay-free.
Flossing Helps Stop Bad Breath
If you have suffered from bad breath at some time in your life, you’re not alone. It’s a common problem felt by many Australians which can start impacting on your life if it continues to get worse.
There are a number of factors that can influence bad breath, but one of them is bacteria from the gums. The bacteria that causes this type of disease is anerobic bacteria. This normally lives in areas underneath your gums, in places where brushing can’t reach easily.
As you may have guessed this hidden bacteria grows over time and can create an unpleasant smell. Flossing cleans your gums and teeth in places where your brushing often can’t reach, which stops this growth from happening and keeps your breath odour-free.
Flossing Prevents Gum Disease
The largest benefit of using dental floss in your daily routine is it keeps your mouth healthy and clear of serious gum disease. This can often be the problem if you have bleeding gums or severe pain in the area.
Gum disease is caused by plaque on the teeth. This is a soft and sometimes sticky film that starts covering the outside surface of the teeth. If it’s not removed when soft it can become hard, making it even harder to remove and increasing your chance of painful complications.
Two types of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. Early build up of plaque can quickly turn into gingivitis, but can advance to periodontitis if it’s not treated by a dentist.
Flossing takes this risk away from your oral health by cleaning up the plaque while it’s soft. As always, it should be used as part of a daily brushing routine to make sure you’re disease free.
Solution: Floss Your Teeth Daily
To keep your teeth and smile healthy and looking it’s best, you should include flossing as part of your day.
Dental floss or dental tape is available in supermarkets, chemists or from your dentist. Pull out a 20cm string of floss and wrap it around one of your index fingers. Then go through all of the crevices between your teeth, sliding the floss back and forth to remove bacteria and plaque. Make sure you use it 2cm below the gums for the best clean.
Flossing is just as easy as brushing. It only takes a minute, and could prove the difference between a happy, pain-free mouth and a series of unwanted trips to the dentist in the future.
For more professional dental advice or to book a dental appointment, contact Care Dental Camberwell today.
Dr. Anna Chau, BDSc (Hons) from the University of Melbourne, is a skilled dentist in Camberwell with 18 years of experience in both private and public practices. She has specialized training in cosmetic, implant, and laser dentistry and has taught at her alma mater. Dr. Anna Chau is committed to advancing dental care and promoting healthy habits among children through local volunteer work.