Your teeth cleaning routine has a lot to do with your oral health. In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, the American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day. That’s why Magnolia Dental emphasizes preventive care, including professional teeth cleanings and regular checkups. This dental office in Waynesboro, VA, even offers products and advice to help you with your oral hygiene. Here, they explain why you must remember to floss if you want to have healthy gums and teeth.

Floss Can Reach

Even when you do a great job brushing your teeth, your toothbrush can only reach three out of five exposed surfaces. That means it doesn’t clean 40% of your teeth effectively. To get in between your teeth, you need something smaller than a toothbrush, and dental floss fits the bill. You can also use interdental cleaners or dental tape if the gaps between your teeth are fairly big.

It Prevents Gum Disease & Cavities

Since floss removes the bacteria from the spaces between your teeth, it effectively reduces plaque. Plaque can cause gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss in its more advanced stages. Gum disease harms your gums and teeth, but it also eats away at the bone that supports both. A person with gum disease may even have a smile that’s not aesthetically pleasing because the gum line isn’t flush with their teeth anymore.

When you skip flossing, you also increase your risk of cavities between your teeth. Flossing removes bacteria and plaque that builds up in those hard-to-reach spaces. Since these areas aren’t visible to you or your dentist, an X-ray is necessary to diagnose or rule out cavities in those locations.

To protect your oral health, you should floss your teeth at least once a day. For more on dental hygiene, schedule a professional teeth cleaning at Magnolia Dental. They offer family dental care to keep you smiling for years to come. Their comprehensive services include preventive care and cosmetic dentistry. To learn more about the office, visit their website or call (540) 943-2723 to make an appointment.