Why Is It Necessary to Floss Regularly?

While brushing your teeth twice daily is necessary, it doesn't remove all the food particles and plaque from your teeth and gums. That's where flossing comes in. Flossing teeth has numerous benefits, so it is necessary to floss regularly. For instance, flossing helps remove the food particles and plaque your toothbrush can't reach, especially in the tight spaces between your teeth and around your gums. 

Failing to floss regularly can lead to the buildup of harmful bacteria in your mouth, which can cause tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and other dental problems. This article will discuss the benefits of flossing and provide tips on how to floss effectively.

"Flossing can help prevent bad breath by removing the bacteria that cause it. People who floss regularly have a 30% lower risk of developing gum disease than those who don't". 

Importance of Flossing Teeth 

Flossing teeth helps prevent many oral health issues. Brushing your teeth alone cannot remove all the food particles, bacteria, and plaque that accumulate between your teeth and along your gum line. Up to 80% of cavities occur in the hard-to-reach surfaces between teeth by brushing alone. Flossing helps remove these harmful substances from areas a toothbrush can't reach.

Gum disease is a severe condition that can lead to tooth loss and even affect your overall health. Recent studies have shown a strong connection between gum disease and other serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. 

Flossing can help reduce your risk of developing severe health problems, such as heart disease and stroke, by removing the bacteria that can cause inflammation in your gums. It can help to brighten your smile and give you fresher breath. Flossing also helps improve your appearance by removing unsightly food particles between your teeth. 

Flossing into your daily oral hygiene routine can help prevent dental problems and promote a healthier, happier smile. Flossing is an easy and effective way to maintain good oral health. It only takes a few minutes daily, but the benefits can be significant in the long run.

Benefits of Dental Flossing

• Preventing gum disease: Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from the gum line, which helps to prevent gum disease. Gum disease causes inflammation, bleeding, and even tooth loss. Flossing can help to prevent this buildup, leading to healthier gums and teeth.
• Improving heart health: Research has shown a link between gum disease and heart disease. By flossing regularly, you can help to reduce inflammation in your gums and lower your risk of heart disease. 
• Reducing bad breath: Flossing removes food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath. By removing these particles, you can keep your mouth feeling fresh and clean. 
• Saving money: Flossing regularly can save you money in the long run by preventing dental problems. Dental procedures can be expensive, but you can avoid costly procedures by flossing regularly and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
• Improving overall health: Poor oral health leads to several health problems, including diabetes, respiratory disease, and osteoporosis. By flossing regularly and maintaining good oral health, you can avoid these health problems and improve your overall health. 

How Often Should Flossing Be Done? 

Food particles and plaque can accumulate between teeth and along the gum line throughout the day, and brushing alone may not remove all of them. Flossing can help remove these particles and prevent bacteria buildup, leading to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. One should do flossing at least once a day to maintain good oral hygiene.

What is the Right Technique for Flossing? 

The proper technique of flossing teeth involves the following steps: 

• Start with a piece of floss that is about 18 inches long. Wind most of the floss around one of your middle fingers and the rest around the same finger on the opposite hand. 
• Grasp the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers and gently slide it between your teeth using back-and-forth locomotion. 
• Afterward, curve the floss around the base of each tooth in a "C" shape, making sure to go beneath the gum line. Be gentle and avoid snapping the floss, as this can cause injury to the gums. 
• Now, use a clean section of floss for each tooth, and work your way around your entire mouth, including the back teeth. 
• Unwind the floss from one finger and wind it onto the other finger to ensure you have a clean section of floss for each tooth. 
• Once you've finished flossing, rinse your mouth with water to remove any dislodged particles.

Flossing can sometimes cause mild bleeding, especially if you last flossed a while ago or need to do it correctly. However, if you experience persistent bleeding, pain, or swelling, you should consult your dentist or dental hygienist, as this may indicate an underlying dental problem that requires treatment. 

Flossing is integral to maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing dental problems. Proper flossing can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong.

Tips on How to Floss Effectively 

• Use enough floss: Use a piece that is long enough to wrap around your fingers that still has enough length to floss your teeth effectively. A portion of floss that is about 18 inches long should be sufficient.
• Be gentle: Be gentle when flossing, and avoid snapping the floss between your teeth, as this can cause injury to your gums. Instead, gently glide the floss up and down between your teeth and beneath the gum line. 
• Be thorough: Floss all your teeth, including the hard-to-reach areas in the back of your mouth. Take your time with the process, and take your time to ensure that you are effectively removing all of the food particles and plaque. 
• Use floss picks or interdental brushes: If traditional flossing is difficult, consider using interdental brushes or floss picks to clean your teeth. These tools can be beneficial for people with braces or other dental appliances. 
• Make flossing a daily habit: Incorporate flossing into your daily routine, such as flossing after brushing your teeth in the morning or before bedtime. 

At What Age Should Children Start Using Dental Floss? 

Flossing is essential to maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing dental problems such as cavities and gum disease, even in young children. It usually occurs between the ages of two and six years old. Children should start flossing their teeth when two teeth touch each other. 

When children are first learning to floss, they may need assistance from a parent or caregiver to ensure they are using the proper technique and not causing injury to their gums. Parents can help children learn how to floss by demonstrating the right strategy and supervising their child's flossing until they can do it independently. 

It's important to note that children may have sensitive gums and experience mild bleeding when they first start flossing. It is normal and should improve over time as their gums become healthier. If your child experiences persistent bleeding or pain when flossing, it's best to consult their dentist or dental hygienist to rule out any underlying dental problems. 

Final Words 

Flossing is a simple yet effective way to improve oral health and well-being. By incorporating flossing into your daily routine, you can enjoy a healthier mouth, fresher breath, and a brighter smile. Though flossing may seem tedious, it is crucial to maintaining good oral hygiene. 

Neglecting to floss can lead to a buildup of harmful bacteria and plaque, which can cause a range of dental problems, including gum disease and tooth decay. You can prevent these issues by flossing regularly and maintaining a healthy, bright smile. So, take a few minutes daily to floss your teeth and reap the many benefits of good oral hygiene. Your teeth and gums will thank you later.

Contact your Walnut Creek dentist, Massood Darvishzadeh, at Walnut Creek Dental to know why it is necessary to Floss regularly.

Resource:

How to Properly Brush and Floss

*This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition*