Flossing 101

While it may not be popular, flossing is the best defense against oral health problems. While only 30% of the American population uses dental floss daily, flossing is more important to your oral health than brushing. Yes, you read that right: flossing is more important than brushing. Keep reading to learn more.

Dental floss is the only tool that is specifically designed to remove plaque from the gum line and food debris from between the teeth. If food particles remain trapped between the teeth, they will rot and cause bad breath and tooth decay. While that sounds disgusting, it is something that dentists deal with every day in their dental practices. Dentists will tell you that they can tell the difference between someone who flosses and someone who does not the moment they sit in the dental chair.

Billions of oral bacteria are present inside your mouth at any given time. These bacteria are meant to help break down particles left behind after eating, but as the bacteria congregate around tiny particles, they create a sticky white substance known as plaque. Plaque is dangerous to oral health. As oral bacteria gather and form dental plaque, they also create acids. The bacteria and their acids are what cause irritation, inflammation, and infection in the gum tissues. If plaque is not removed, it will spread and become tartar. Tartar is what eventually causes the damage that leads to tooth decay and loss of teeth.

The most common excuse that people give for not flossing is that it is “too much trouble.” But let’s think about that for a minute. Flossing takes approximately one and a half minutes out of an entire 24-hour day. That short amount of time can save you thousands of dollars and multiple dental visits trying to repair damage caused by choosing not to floss.

At Just Brush My Teeth, we encourage you to floss every day! Flossing is more important than brushing because it scrapes away the things inside your mouth that damage your teeth. Make a commitment today to floss daily and improve your oral health.