One of the pillars of teeth cleaning, flossing is something you must do every day to maintain a healthy mouth. Here, review what makes flossing so essential to dental health, and keep in mind that there are numerous floss options available, including tape and water picks.

Why You Shouldn’t Forget to Floss

1. Prevents Tooth Decay

Because floss gets down between the teeth and gums, it reaches bacteria and food particles your toothbrush cannot. Notice how your mouth feels extra clean after flossing because you’ve eliminated harmful particles that work with mouth bacteria to form decay-causing plaque and acid. Flossing helps protect your teeth from decay and the pain and sensitivity that follows.

2. Keeps the Gums Healthy

Daily flossing cleans underneath the gums to keep plaque from building up along the gumline and forming tartar. Only a dentist can remove tartar that lies underneath the gums, irritating the tissue to create problems such as bleeding and inflammation. Without proper teeth cleaning, these gingivitis symptoms morph into gum disease that causes gum tissue to recede, exposing sensitive tooth roots.

Severe gum recession loosens teeth because they no longer have anchors to keep them in place, increasing the chances of tooth loss. The disease can even cause jawbone loss if enough tissue wears away because the bone needs gum stimulation to stay in place.

3. Protects From Disease

Gum disease isn’t the only serious health issue regular flossing and other teeth cleaning practices help prevent. Mouth health indicates overall health, and there’s evidence that poor oral care increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and respiratory diseases. The connection between gum and heart disease, for example, revolves around inflammation. Gum inflammation and excessive bacteria may cause arteries to narrow according to recent research. Flossing helps mitigate these risks by keeping gum tissue healthy. 

Make flossing a habit and don’t forget to schedule biannual teeth cleanings with Dental Wellness of Milford. Known for a fun and welcoming atmosphere, this full-service dental practice in Milford, OH, provides dental care for the whole family. Call (513) 575-9600 today to schedule an appointment or visit the dentists online for more about teeth cleaning services. Get the latest oral health tips on Facebook.