Why Flossing Is So Important for Your Dental Health
Professional cleanings and exams help keep your dental health in good shape, but good oral hygiene at home is essential, too. We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. Unfortunately, many people forget about flossing. Why is it so important?
Why Flossing Matters to Your Oral Health
When you eat and drink anything other than water, a substance called plaque forms on your teeth and along your gumline. Plaque is very sticky and if it’s not cleaned, it hardens into tartar. The bacteria in plaque and tartar cause cavities and gum disease.
Brushing gets a lot of the plaque off your teeth, but flossing is the only way to remove the plaque stuck in the tiny spaces between your teeth. If you don’t floss, plaque and tartar build up between your teeth and along your gums.
What Happens When You Don’t Floss
You’re at a much higher risk for gum disease if you don’t floss regularly. In its early stage, gum disease is known as gingivitis. It often doesn’t cause many symptoms, but you may notice tenderness, redness, swelling, and mild bleeding. Start flossing right away and soon, your gum disease should improve.
More severe gum disease is known as periodontitis. At this stage, it can only be managed, not reversed. Treatments include deep cleanings, antibiotics, and in advanced cases, surgery. If gum disease isn’t addressed, it leads to tooth loss.
Gum & Dental health at North Richland Hills Dentistry in North Richland Hills, Texas
During an exam at our office, we’ll floss your teeth and check for signs of gum disease. If we see any problems, we’ll recommend treatments like improved oral hygiene and flossing. There are a few flossing tool options, so don’t hesitate to ask us which ones might work best for you. Have questions or want to schedule an appointment? Please contact us today!