Reasons flossing can improve your oral health

Dental Practice

Even though brushing your teeth can help to keep them clean and healthy, the bristles on a brush cannot reach all areas of the teeth. The cracks between teeth are notorious for catching bits of food that can form plaque. Dental floss can reach between the teeth and help benefit your oral health.

Here are three reasons on how flossing can improve your oral health.

#1. Flossing Reaches the Places that a Toothbrush Cannot Reach

While brushing teeth twice a day is essential for healthy and clean teeth, the bristles cannot reach between the teeth to clean out plaque. The American Dental Association, ADA, explains that "Cleaning between teeth removes plaque that can lead to cavities or gum disease from the areas where a toothbrush can't reach."

Food particles that stick between one's teeth can cause plaque to build up over time and lead to infection. If people are unable to reach the food particles between the teeth, then there is a higher risk of infection. Even when brushing with a toothbrush, the bristles are not thin enough to reach every nook and cranny of one's teeth. Flossing allows people to reach between their teeth and keep them clean.

#2. Flossing is Not Invasive and Does Not Cost Much

Flossing is an easy alternative to cleaning one's teeth instead of needing professional treatment for cavities or tooth decay, while also being cheaper than the invasive dental procedures. If food particles and plaque are stuck between the teeth for long enough, then the individual will have to receive professional treatment and may require invasive procedures. If the individual keeps a steady pattern of brushing and flossing between his or her teeth on a regular basis, then they decrease the risk of infection.

An individual does not even need to floss very vigorously, but merely run the floss between the teeth to the gum line. The price to pay for professional and invasive dental procedures will cost far more than buying a small amount of dental floss from the store.

#3. Flossing Can Help Ensure Healthy Teeth

Plaque buildup can lead to infection in the form of cavities or gum disease. While flossing alone will not completely treat or prevent the risk of infection, it can certainly help. The ADA states, "More than 500 bacterial species can be found in plaque; some are good and some are bad for your mouth." Regardless of which bacteria are good or bad, the ADA adds that "Together with food debris, water and other components, the plaque buildup around the teeth and on the gum line will contribute to disease in teeth and gums."

Flossing is a crucial step in helping to remove plaque from the teeth. With a regular schedule of flossing and brushing, people will be able to keep their teeth in healthy condition and avoid the need for intensive dental procedures. However, proper dental care at home is only part of the necessary action one needs to take to keep healthy teeth.

Along with proper care at home, people need to visit a dentist at least once every six months for a dental checkup. A dentist will be able to spot any early signs of infection and prevent the infection from spreading further.

If you or a loved one has not been to the dentist in over six months, do not hesitate to schedule a regular checkup and ensure your oral health. For more information or to schedule an appointment, give us a call.

Dental Practice

Our dental practice strives toward a core focus of treating our patient’s teeth in an efficient and comforting manner. We will ensure that all dental issues and concerns are dealt with as soon as possible.

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of the North Shore

At Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of the North Shore in Swampscott, we work to customize your treatment to match your needs and schedule where possible. Our professional staff aims to create a calm atmosphere for you during the appointment and treatment process. We will identify any dental issues you are struggling with and work with you to find the solution that works best for you.

Our staff seeks to create a comforting environment at the office to ease patients into the procedure. We can help prevent damage to your teeth and set you on track for a lifetime of quality oral health. At Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of the North Shore, your dental health is our prime concern.