The Importance of Flossing
If you’re like the one third of Americans who don’t floss, you may be under the impression that brushing alone is enough to keep teeth bright and healthy. While brushing twice a day does go a long way toward maintaining your oral hygiene, complementing your daily cleaning habit with flossing can mark the difference between short, pleasant dental visits and long, invasive procedures that address the buildup of tartar.
Attacking Tartar
Flossing removes plaque while it’s still malleable; otherwise it will evolve into tartar if left untreated. Tartar, unlike plague, cannot be removed with normal brushing and flossing; you would have to seek the assistance of a dental professional in order to remove this hard buildup. When left to fester, tartar is a common catalyst of decay and tooth loss.
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Flossing, in a sense, is equally important as regular brushing because your toothbrush simply cannot completely clean between teeth or under the gums. Flossing dislodges tiny bits of food stuck between teeth and gums that brushes merely glance over. But neither option alone adequately addresses the buildup of plaque and tartar; a combination of both removes bacteria around the gums and strengthens your tooth enamel.
Prevention
“Prevention is better than a cure” may be a cliché, but the accuracy and importance of this sentiment cannot be overstated when your oral health is concerned. When you floss at home every day, you save yourself both time and money that would otherwise be spent at your dental office. Flossing actively prevents future oral health problems, and makes routine cleanings easy. Why not try to make those visits as pleasant and short as possible?
Flossing, like brushing, also helps prevent other diseases that harm more than just your oral health. The harmful bacteria that form in your mouth can enter your bloodstream; this is why conditions such as heart disease and diabetes have been linked to poor oral health.
Call Today for an Appointment!
Your dentist works with you during routine visits, educating on helpful preventative tactics to practice at home. While brushing twice a day is effective, the combination of brushing and flossing helps guarantee long lasting health in general. For more information on prevention and flossing tips, call us today to schedule a visit!