Dental Care for Children
September 13, 20167 Signs You Need to See Your Dentist
January 10, 2017
The Associated Press recently came out with an
article stating that flossing has no real health benefits. While there may not be sufficient evidence to support the health benefits, there are some things we know for certain. Here are 4 reasons to floss your teeth daily.
- Flossing Gets What Your Toothbrush Doesn't
There are five reachable surfaces to each of your teeth: the front, the back, the bottom, and the two sides. Brushing your teeth removes bacteria from the front, back, and bottom, but isn't able to get in between your teeth. Floss gets in between your teeth and cleans what your toothbrush cannot.
- Flossing Removes Bacteria
When done right, flossing removes bacteria from in between your teeth and near the gumline. When bacteria builds up, it turns into plaque, and that plaque hardens into tartar. When tartar builds up, it can get below the gums. When this happens, it greatly increases the risk of getting Periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue that supports your teeth. When this tissue breaks down, your teeth fall out. Flossing daily can help prevent this by cleaning the bacteria away from the gum line.
- Flossing Freshens Your Breath
The most common cause for bad breath is poor dental hygiene. As bacteria break down particles of food, sulfur compounds are produced that cause odor. Bacteria has more food to break down when you don't floss because food particles get stuck between the teeth. Flossing removes those food particles and helps freshen your breath.
- Flossing Helps Diminish Inflamed Gums
When you first start flossing, you may notice that there is blood on the floss. Don't panic - that's most likely because your gums are inflamed from plaque build up. As you floss daily, the blood should start to go away. If it doesn't, you may have Periodontal disease and need to see your dentist.
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