Flossing does more than clean the surfaces of your teeth. It cleans those important areas between each tooth and removes bacteria from under the gums. Yet, it’s incredibly common for your dentist in Alexandria to see patients every day who skip this crucial part of oral hygiene. In fact, more than 30% of Americans don’t floss their teeth every day, and this can mean bad news for your teeth.
1. The Plaque Attack
One of the most important reasons to floss your teeth every day is to remove plaque buildup that occurs naturally throughout the day. If left untreated, plaque will harden into tartar. Tartar isn’t something that can be removed through regular brushing alone and will need to be removed at your next appointment with your dentist in Alexandria.
2. Fight Off Gum Disease
The biggest complaint we hear about flossing is that gums bleed. This is an even more important reason to keep flossing. Bleeding gums is a telltale sign of gingivitis. Gingivitis can be reversed if caught in this early stage, however, if it’s not treated and is left to progress, it can quickly turn into full-blown gum disease. In its more advanced stages, gum disease becomes irreversible and can wreak havoc on your oral health and overall health.
3. Keep Your Body Healthy
If foregoing the floss does lead to gum disease, it can lead to additional complications throughout the body. Research shows a strong correlation between gum disease and whole-body health concerns, including:
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Respiratory Disease
4. Protect Strong Teeth
It’s the goal of your Alexandria dentist to help patients achieve and keep long-lasting good oral health. Part of that includes keeping natural teeth for a lifetime, which is possible with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits. However, if you don’t floss, you’re at greater risk for both cavities as well as tooth loss.
Choosing The Best Floss
Finding the best floss for you can take some trial and error. But it’s important to try various types of floss so you can choose one that you’ll use regularly. Different types of floss include:
- Waxed or Unwaxed String Floss
- Floss Picks
- Dental Tape
- Water Flosser
Even if you brush your teeth every day, make sure you don’t skip flossing. Your checkups with your dentist in Alexandria will be easier, you’ll have less of a chance of developing serious problems, and you’ll keep your teeth happy and healthy.
Accepting new patients from Alexandria, Old Town, and Del Ray.
