The Importance of Daily Flossing

The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

April Issue 114

Article Provided By: Langdon Dental

We all know that it’s important for you to see your local dentist and hygienist regularly to maintain your oral health. Although your hygienist may go over brushing and flossing technique during a dental cleaning, she/he may not share with you all the advantages that come with embracing some waxed floss.

Did you know that flossing can extend your life? Really – we’re not making this stuff up in an attempt to get you running to the bathroom to floss like a crazy person!! Daily flossing can really extend your life due to keeping bacterial levels, and therefore associated inflammation, to a normal level. Floss is considered an inter-dental cleaner – meaning it cleans in-between teeth – removing food debris, plaque, and bacteria. If not removed, plaque levels increase along with bacteria, which results in increased acid formation and irritation to gum and bone tissue. The inflammation that occurs in the mouth is displayed as puffy gums that bleed easily and pull-away from teeth in an attempt to avoid the irritation.

Gums that are inflamed, puffy, and have pulled away from the neck of a tooth, create the perfect environment for more trapped food debris, plaque formation, and further inflammation. It’s a vicious cycle – no flossing, plaque development – plaque development creates swollen gums – swollen gums provide an area for food particles to become trapped – more plaque forms, and on and on. But, just a few minutes spent every day flossing teeth can stop the cycle and control the level of plaque and bacteria in the mouth. A few minutes a day is all it takes – but the rewards are huge as the consistent removal of food debris and plaque contributes greatly to maintaining clean teeth and healthy gums – and helps reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other physical diseases.

We would encourage all patients to invest a few minutes each day brushing and flossing. This easy but effective method of keeping teeth clean helps prevent tooth decay, bad breath, gum and bone loss and premature loss of teeth. What have you got to lose by not flossing? Your smile and your health.