Importance of Flossing

When it comes to maintaining oral health and hygiene, importance is always given on proper and regular brushing of teeth. And hence it is a part of our daily routine. But the same cannot be said about flossing of teeth.

Flossing may be the norm in many places around the globe, but in India, it simply isn’t. People rarely floss and many find it cumbersome to do so. You’re already brushing twice a day, do you really need to floss too? The answer is a big, resounding YES!

What is flossing?

Flossing is the process of cleaning the surfaces between two teeth (interdental surfaces) using a thin cord called dental floss. Our teeth have five surfaces, and when you brush, you can access four of these surfaces and clean them. The fifth surface that you cannot clean with your brush is the surface between two teeth, since this area is too narrow to allow the bristles of your brush through. So food particles and plaque can remain there for long periods of time and cause dental problems. Hence, it is necessary to use dental floss to clean these surfaces of accumulated plaque and food debris.

Flossing Prevents Cavities

When food debris is stuck between your teeth for long periods of time, bacteria in your mouth attack them and produce acids in the process. These acids are what causes cavities in teeth. Flossing can effectively clean the food debris and prevent cavities. So if you do not floss, you have a higher chance of cavity formation or tooth decay originating between your teeth.

Flossing Keeps Gums Healthy

Gum disease like gingivitis is caused by accumulation of plaque around the gums. Plaque is nothing but a collection of millions of bacteria. Flossing interdentally keeps these tight spaces clean and free from plaque, thus ensuring that your gums stay healthy.

Flossing Can Also Protect You From Other Diseases

Infection causing bacteria of the mouth have been known to travel to other parts of the body, and cause secondary infections there. For example, infections of the heart valves like endocarditis may be caused by bacteria originating in the mouth. Hence, it is important to keep your oral cavity as free from disease causing bacteria as possible. Flossing is a way to do that. Along with proper brushing, flossing reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth.

Flossing Prevents Bad Breath

Bad breath can be caused by plaque accumulation and decomposing food remnants in between teeth. When you floss, these interdental spaces are cleaned, and become free from plaque and food debris. Hence, flossing can also prevent bad breath.

Final Word

Flossing your teeth is as important as brushing, and should become part of your daily routine. It is an activity that not only maintains good oral hygiene, but encourages you to avoid late night snacking, and snacking after you brush and floss your teeth, especially at night.

If you haven’t tried flossing yet, get a good spool of dental floss and start your flossing journey from today.