5 Reasons Why You Should Floss Your Teeth Regularly

Although you may brush your teeth regularly, do you floss just as often? Ideally you should be flossing your teeth at least twice a day, and preferably after your meals.

Admittedly flossing can be a bit tedious, but it is important. In fact there are several reasons why you need to floss your teeth frequently:

• Cleans places that your toothbrush can’t reach

Brushing alone is not enough if you want to thoroughly clean your teeth. The fact of the matter is that there are places that your toothbrush simply cannot reach.

It may be possible to flush out some of the food between your teeth when you brush or swish water around your mouth. However any plaque or bacteria that is building up there will probably remain, and over time it will start to build up.

Also, see: What happens when you don’t brush your teeth regularly?

• Prevents gum disease

One of the main reasons it is important to floss is because it is the key to preventing gum disease. Gum disease often starts because food is trapped between your teeth and near where the teeth and gums meet.

By flossing you can remove most of the plaque, bacteria, and food that is likely to affect your gums. That in turn will help you to avoid the inflammation caused by gingivitis.

• Helps to avoid bad breath

There are a number of different causes of bad breath, but food particles that are stuck between your teeth is definitely one of them. Flossing will remove those particles, and help you to avoid bad breath.

It is especially helpful if you regularly consume food that contributes to bad breath, such as garlic and onions.

• Stops your gums from bleeding

Are you averse to flossing because every time you try your gums start to bleed a little? It may seem counter intuitive, but flossing is actually the key to stop your gums from bleeding.

If you floss regularly and remove the bacteria that is near your gums, your gums shouldn’t bleed. However if it does continue to bleed then there is either a problem with your flossing technique or you may already have gum disease – in which case you should consult your dentist.

See why flossing is so important? To be honest it plays a crucial role in your overall oral hygiene, and by flossing you can prevent tartar buildup, avoid cavities, keep your smile white, and save money in the long run.

If you have any concerns or aren’t sure where to start, talk to your dentist in Sheffield. Ask them about flossing techniques, as well as the type of floss that you should be using. In many cases they may even have samples that you can try.

Make no mistake the sooner you start to get into the habit of flossing regularly – the better, and the more you’ll benefit from it. Try to make it a point to floss at least twice a day, and preferably after lunch as well as before you go to sleep at night.