Flossing is the great overlooked dental health care prerogative of our time. This is the reason why dentists always ask if you have been flossing at every single trip to their office. If you are not among the convinced, Dr. David K. Skeels, family dentist, gives the following reasons why dental flossing is so important.

At its essence, floss does what a toothbrush cannot: specialized interdental cleaning. Designed to attack the tight spaces between the teeth and gums, floss removes stubborn plaque buildup that brushing and mouthwash rinsing cannot. Regular flossing leads to a healthy mouth, which prevents the horrors of gum disease.

In this respect, flossing is especially important for protecting your gums. Where teeth and gums meet is where flossing is most effective, removing lodged, small food particles that break down to grow plaque over time. Left unchecked, it can develop into gingivitis - tartar buildup that develops into swollen red gums - the first major step towards gum disease.

Flossing helps stave off discolored teeth, bad breath, and other byproducts of gum disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one needs to address oral hygiene as a step toward preventing other systemic diseases that emanate from gum disease. Bacteria that grow in an unhealthy mouth can harm the rest of the body, potentially resulting in diabetes, respiratory illness, or heart disease.

By dedicating yourself to such simple and efficient oral hygiene, flossing will save you money. Any kind of preventative dental care will save you costly emergency dental visits, which can be as much as 10 times the expense of regular dental checkups.

For the ultimate service in teeth cleaning and overall dental care, depend on Rochester's own favorite family dentist Dr. David K. Skeels. To set up an appointment, call his office at (585) 467-7000 - and remember to floss.