How Flossing Protects Your Health

Ask any dentist what you can do to protect your dental health, and there is a good chance that flossing will come up in the conversation. Flossing is one of the most basic things you can do to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and the need for a root canal, filling, or other dental treatment. Here are just a few of the reasons why dentists suggest you should reach for your floss every day.

Flossing Does What Brushing Can't

Brushing your teeth twice per day removes plaque, debris, and food particles from the surfaces of your teeth, but what about the tight spaces in between them? The bristles on your toothbrush are too big to enter the space between your teeth, so plaque and bacteria can build up there unchecked. This can lead to tooth decay, and if left untreated, can cause you to need a root canal. Floss slides between your teeth and cleans those areas more than brushing alone can, so you can completely remove all of the triggers for decay.

Flossing Can Save You Money

When you don't floss, you leave your dental health up to chance. Eventually, failing to clean your teeth adequately can lead to the need for dental treatments or periodontal care, which can be time-consuming and costly. The decay that can occur when you don't floss can also cause aesthetic problems with your smile that could require cosmetic dentistry treatments like veneers. By taking a few minutes to floss each day, you can drastically reduce the chances that you will need expensive treatments.

Flossing Prevents Systemic Diseases

More and more, healthcare professionals are recognizing the role of good oral health in good overall health. The inflammation and infections that can result in your mouth when you don't floss can have serious repercussions throughout your body. For instance, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, respiratory infections, low birth weight babies, and the worsening of diabetes. Flossing improves your oral health, which is an investment in your overall wellbeing.