Have you been flossing regularly? Your dentist must have asked you this question at least once. Oddly, this simple habit can be extremely important when it comes to your dental health. But what are the benefits of flossing daily? Lovett Dental Pasadena can explain to you the numerous benefits.
The Benefits of Flossing Daily
If you ask your dentist, you will soon know the benefits of flossing daily and how vital it is to your oral hygiene. You see, brushing your teeth can clean the outer surfaces of both the teeth and gums. However, it can’t reach the spaces between your teeth. And brushing can’t reach between the gums and the base of the teeth as well.
Floss can get into these spaces effectively. You can use an antimicrobial mouthwash to kill the bacteria. However, flossing is the only way to clean off the tartar and bits of food left between your teeth. Moreover, not brushing and flossing regularly could lead to oral problems like bleeding gums.
If you do not address these problems, you will likely develop low-level gum inflammation known as gingivitis. Not to mention, the pieces of food left between the teeth and the tartar buildup on your gums can cause tooth decay. If you don’t want these dental issues to happen to you, flossing at least once daily is the way to go.
Flossing is an excellent way to make brushing teeth more effective. Similarly, it ensures your gums are healthy by keeping them clean. But if you’re not convinced yet, it is good to know some of the other surprising benefits of flossing daily, such as:
- Saving you money due to the extra costs of dental care
- Prevent the development of other diseases
- Decrease inflammation and positive effects on blood sugar
- Help with your glycemic control
- Minimizes infection that can get into your upper respiratory system
From keeping your heart healthy to losing weight, the benefits of flossing daily are pretty impressive.
What are the Different Types of Floss
Now you know how vital flossing can be. Here’s the thing, though – you can only take advantage of the benefits of flossing daily if you do it properly. What’s more, there are different types of floss, each one with pros and cons. Knowing the different kinds of floss is critical, as it will ensure you are flossing correctly.
- Proxy Brush/Interdental Brush: This type of floss is easier to use but hard to maneuver in tight spaces. Also, these flosses are a bit expensive.
- Water Floss: This option is great for people with dexterity problems. However, this type of floss needs water and electricity to use.
- String Floss: String floss is an effective and cheap option. However, it is not reusable and may hurt your gums.
- Floss Picks: This type of floss is another easy to use option, but it might not be as effective as other floss types.
If you don’t floss correctly, it can do you more harm than good. On that note, the dentist’s best choice for flossing is the interdental brush. Their advice – use an electric toothbrush first. Follow that with the proxy brush to dislodge the bits of food in there. Lastly, use an alcohol-free mouthwash that effectively leaves your mouth clean and fresh.
In Case of Teeth or Gum Issues, Call Lovett Dental Pasadena
So not flossing every day can lead you to develop some oral health issues. These problems could be bleeding gums, gingivitis, or tooth decay. If you have any of these problems, it’s best to see your dentist. They provide services to fix your teeth and gum issues, including:
- Extractions
- Teeth cleaning
- Teeth scaling
- Bone and gum graft
- Use of dental implants
If you want to learn more about the benefits of flossing daily, visit Lovett Dental Pasadena today, or call 281-998-8800 to book your next appointment!
