Flossing: Does it Really Matter?
Recently, the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) published research that called into question the health benefits that had been associated with daily flossing. As with many science stories in the news, this story has caused dentists, patients and even the American Dental Association to question if daily flossing is really necessary for health and a healthy mouth. Most if not all dentists will tell their patients that despite the report from the DHHS, flossing is still an important part of a good oral hygiene routine. Dr Apsey from Smile Brightly, a dental office near Eastpointe, explains why below.
Brushing Doesn’t Get the Entire Tooth
Your teeth have five surfaces that need to be cleaned on a daily basis. Three; the front, back and either the top or bottom, can be cleaned using your toothbrush. The surfaces that are between your teeth cannot be cleaned with your toothbrush. The most effective way to clean these surfaces is with floss. Flossing removes plaque and food particles that can get lodged between the teeth, so without daily flossing, you have no way to effectively clean between your teeth.
Keeps Gums Healthy
Your dentist or even your hygienist can tell when you haven’t flossed your teeth. The buildup of plaque around your gums or the presence of food particles between your teeth can irritate your gums. Irritated gums will be red and swollen. Often times they will easily bleed when brushing or when your hygienist is cleaning and flossing your teeth. Irritated gums can cause other dental issues, are often the first indication of decay, and can lead to more serious problems with your teeth.
Low Risk of Dental Harm
As dentists we often hear our patients complain that flossing hurts or causes discomfort, so they skip flossing daily, to avoid the pain. However, when done correctly, flossing should never be painful. Flossing is an activity that should be done with care and a gentle touch. If you take your time and are gentle when you floss you should not hurt your mouth. In general, you cause more harm and risk more damage to your mouth from avoiding a daily flossing routine.
Less Plaque, Less Bacteria
The main causes of dental issues in your mouth are the presence of excessive plaque buildup and too much bacteria growth. These two factors are what cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and other oral health problems. While regular brushing can get a lot of the plaque and bacteria from your mouth, there are still those hard to reach places between your teeth. If you don’t floss regularly, food particles that are stuck between your teeth can provide an amazing home for the bacteria in your mouth. Besides causing big dental issues like cavities and tooth decay, bacteria can also cause bad breath. Flossing will remove the bacteria and the “food” it needs to thrive in your mouth, leaving you with a fresh, clean, healthy mouth.
Looking for A Dental Office Near Eastpointe?
While the federal DHHS says that there are no proven benefits to regular flossing, your dentist knows when you avoid flossing, and so does your mouth. For a healthy mouth and beautiful teeth, stick with a regular routine of flossing and brushing.
Then, follow up your daily routine with biannual visits to your dentist. If you are looking for a new dental office near Eastpointe, Michigan, Dr. Apsey and his team at Smile Brightly are perfect for helping you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. For more information on our services or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (586) 573-7700.