As children, most of us were told by our parents that we need to brush our teeth in the morning and before we go to bed. Teeth brushing became a habit for us when we were young. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same habit when flossing. At Lovett Dental Conroe, we want you to know that flossing is just as beneficial for your teeth as brushing them. Read on to learn more about the benefits of flossing daily and reasons why you should include flossing in your daily oral health routine.
Plaque Grows on Your Teeth Quickly
Plaque is one of the biggest enemies of your teeth. It is a sticky substance that contains bacteria, and it contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque is made from leftover food particles and saliva. If you do not remove plaque from your teeth quickly, within a few days, it will harden and become tartar. Tartar is a substance that makes your teeth look yellow and gives you bad breath. Keeping your mouth clean once tartar has taken root can be a challenge.
Daily Flossing Will Eliminate Gum Bleeding
One reason people do not want to floss every day is because flossing makes their gums bleed. Although it might seem counter-intuitive, the more you floss, the less your gums will bleed. Your gums bleed when you floss because you have bacteria along your gum line. Your body is sending blood cells to the area because it needs to fight the infection. Once the bacteria is removed, the infection goes away, and the bleeding gums stop.
Your Oral Health Impacts the Rest of Your Body’s Health
This should not surprise you. Just think of the number of illnesses doctors can diagnose using saliva. This is because your saliva says a lot about conditions in the rest of your body.
If you do not floss your teeth every day, you may increase your chances of getting or worsening conditions like:
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Respiratory Disease
These have been linked to gum disease. The more you floss, the less chance you have of developing gum disease, and the better your overall health becomes.
Flossing Keeps Your Teeth Strong
Getting a cavity is painful and annoying. A cavity that affects two teeth is expensive and may require extensive oral health care. If you remove bacteria that build up in between your teeth, you may save yourself the pain of going under the drill. Flossing every day is time-consuming. But just think of all the oral health issues you may face that could have been avoided by just flossing. These could include:
- Cavities
- Root Canals
- Tooth Extractions
- Cosmetic Dental Issues
- Bad Breath
- Gum Disease
- Gingivitis
Flossing During Pregnancy
Flossing during pregnancy is important because there are several changes to your mouth during this time. Many of these changes may negatively affect your oral health. When a person eats, plaque develops on their teeth. Brushing your teeth can help a lot, but flossing is the only way to get the buildup between your teeth.
Respected medical journals have shown a link between women who have periodontal disease and those who have delivery complications, including low birth weight and high blood pressure during pregnancy. This is because there are microorganisms and bacteria in the mouth that travel through the bloodstream and affect the placenta. Gum disease caused by a failure to floss may impact the health of your unborn child.
Teaching Children the Benefits of Flossing Daily
There is research that suggests that oral health habits people have are based on what they learned from their parents. If a person grows up with parents who brush their teeth every day, floss their teeth every day, and visit the general dentist regularly, when they become adults, they will maintain those same habits. Parents who understand that good oral health will benefit their children for the long haul will want to instill in their children the habit of flossing daily.
Thinking about dental plaque is not necessarily pleasant. However, if you leave plaque untreated, it can lead to serious problems like gum disease and tooth decay. Do not let poor oral health rob you of your confidence and your overall health. Call our oral health professionals today at 936-760-2400. Let us help you keep your mouth healthy for years to come.
