Flossing Affects More Than You Realize
Are you flossing daily? Flossing your teeth daily is a vital part of a proper oral healthcare routine. Some people occasionally forget to floss, and others place it low on their priority list. They don’t know how important flossing is for oral health and overall health.
Gum disease (periodontitis) is caused by harmful bacteria that can spread inside the body. The bacteria may put people at risk of serious health conditions. At Star Dental, we want you to know how flossing affects more than you realize.
Daily Flossing Can Help Lower the Risk Of:
Diabetes — If you have gum disease (periodontitis), the bacteria causing the infection may spread throughout your body. The inflammation resulting from the bacteria can lead to insulin resistance and may cause damaged blood vessels, which increases the risk of becoming diabetic.
Heart Disease — Patients with periodontal disease are twice as likely to have coronary artery disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Inflammation caused by gum disease can lead to damaged arteries.
Gum Disease — When plaque remains on the teeth for too long, the bacteria causes inflammation of your gum tissue, which can lead to mild gum disease (gingivitis). Flossing every day can help prevent the buildup of plaque.
Smelly Breath — Leaving food particles in the mouth too long can make breath smell bad. Certain foods — such as meat, fish, or dairy — create sulfur compounds when they break down and cause a bad odor. Flossing daily gets the trapped food pieces from between your teeth.
Proper Flossing Technique
You need to floss your teeth once a day. Break off a piece of floss approximately 15 to 18 inches long. Wind the floss around your middle fingers with most of the floss going around one finger. The finger with less floss is what you wind the dirty floss around.
Grab about an inch or two of floss firmly between your thumbs and forefingers. Put the floss between your teeth and wrap it around the side of the tooth. The section of floss should look like the letter C. Gently slide the floss up and down along both sides of the adjacent teeth. Continue this pattern until all of your teeth are flossed.
If you’re not flossing daily, you may leave up to 35 percent of the surfaces of your teeth at risk of decay. The bristles of your toothbrush can’t reach everywhere. Flossing can get to the bacteria and food stuck in between the teeth and gums.
Get regular exams and cleanings to help maintain proper oral hygiene. How long has it been since your last visit? Contact our office to schedule an appointment. We serve patients in Roseville, California, and the surrounding areas.
