Contrary to popular belief, flossing is not optional. It is very important. If you’re brushing diligently twice a day, kudos to you. However, if you fail to floss in addition, it is like washing the outside of your drinking glass but neglecting the inside walls. Flossing and brushing go together, and by doing both you can achieve optimal results when it comes to at-home preventative oral care.

Here are seven reasons you should floss your teeth thoroughly every day.

  1. Prevent Cavities and Gum Infections

Flossing helps to remove food debris and bacteria from the areas that brushing cannot access, therefore reducing plaque buildup. When plaque is left unremoved, it can harden into tartar. Even if you brush well everyday, without flossing, your teeth will appear more yellow, and plaque buildup can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Daily flossing will help to remove plaque from between your teeth, prevent tartar formation at the gum line, and help you avoid infections and cavities.

  1. Prevent Bone Loss

Sliding the floss up and down under your gums not only removes disease-causing bacteria, but also prevents bone loss from occurring. If you have mild gum detachment (gum disease pockets), cleaning them can help the healthy tissue reattach to your teeth and preserve your smile for several more years. You don’t want to lose your teeth completely due to a lack of support.

  1. Bad Breath No More

When you floss, you disrupt the growth of bacteria between the teeth. Bad breath comes from the interaction of bacteria in the mouth with residual food particles. Flossing stimulates blood flow to the gums, and knocks loose any particles that may be stuck between the teeth. If you have bad breath, flossing regularly can give you improvements in as little as a week. Goodbye bad breath!

  1. Prevent Heart Disease

Are your gums bleeding? That’s a sign of gingivitis. It allows bacteria to enter your bloodstream and attack your organs. Eventually, this can result in heart disease or blood clots. Floss thoroughly every day to prevent heart disease.

  1. Great Smile

Flossing daily will make your teeth look cleaner and brighter. Floss removes food particles you might not even notice, giving you a more beautiful smile.There’s a direct correlation between your smile and your self-confidence. Having a great smile can help you land that big job, make friends easier, and make amazing first impressions.

  1. Reduced Chance of Respiratory Disease

When bacteria accumulates in your mouth, it slowly works its way back to your throat, and could eventually lead to respiratory disease. Bronchitis begins when bacteria reach your throat and causes issues for your respiratory system. By being active in keeping your mouth clean, you may be preventing or diminishing the progression of debilitating, scary diseases such as pneumonia and COPD.

  1. Control Diabetes

Bacteria in the mouth can affect the glucose levels of your blood. The bacteria can collect in the gum and then travel into the body’s circulation, which might impair blood sugar control.

I hope you found this information helpful. Please make sure to floss at least once a day. I am Dr. Onatsky. Call today to schedule an appointment: 718-621-0827. Onatsky Dental Clinic is located at 2960 Ocean Ave 1st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11235.