Is Flossing Every Single Day Really Important?

Posted on 7/1/2024 by Life Long Dental

Close up of a woman’s teeth while flossing

For many of us, flossing daily can feel like an extra chore – something we know we should do but often falls by the wayside. But when it comes to maintaining good oral health, is flossing every day truly essential?

As an expert general dentist and member of the American Dental Association, I can assure you: flossing regularly plays a crucial role in prevention dentistry and overall oral care. While brushing twice a day effectively removes food particles and plaque from the surfaces of your teeth, it can't reach the tight spaces between them. This is where flossing comes in.

Think of flossing as the deep clean your mouth needs. By gently sliding the floss between your teeth, you remove plaque and food debris that brushing can't reach. This helps prevent the buildup of tartar, a hard substance that can lead to gingivitis (gum inflammation) and other more serious gum diseases.

Here are a few key reasons why flossing every day is so important:

•	Prevents Cavities: Plaque buildup between teeth is a major contributor to tooth decay and cavities. By removing this plaque, flossing helps keep your teeth healthy and strong.
•	Reduces Gum Inflammation: Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, is often caused by plaque buildup along the gum line. Daily flossing helps prevent this inflammation and maintain healthy gums.
•	Improves Overall Oral Health: When you floss regularly, you're not just preventing cavities and gum disease
•	you're also promoting overall oral health. This can lead to fresher breath, a brighter smile, and even improved confidence.
•	Reduces Risk of Other Health Issues: Research increasingly suggests a link between poor oral health and other health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. Flossing regularly can be a simple step towards maintaining good overall health.

Now, let's address some common concerns about flossing:

•	"I don't have time to floss every day." Even if you can't floss after every meal, try to do it at least once a day, preferably before bed. This will help remove plaque that has built up throughout the day.
•	"Flossing hurts my gums." If your gums bleed when you floss, it's likely a sign of gingivitis. Don't stop flossing! Instead, be gentle and use a soft floss. As your gums become healthier, the bleeding should stop.
•	"I don't see any visible plaque or food debris when I floss." This doesn't necessarily mean you don't need to floss. Plaque can be invisible to the naked eye.

Flossing is an important part of a comprehensive oral hygiene routine. Along with brushing twice a day and using mouthwash, flossing helps keep your teeth and gums healthy and can contribute to your overall well-being.

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Dental Blog - Silverdale, WA • Life Long Dental
Dr. Gillespie has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Did you like a topic? Please contact us today! Life Long Dental is your dentist in Silverdale, WA.
Life Long Dental, 3100 NW Bucklin Hill Rd, Suite 209, Silverdale, WA 98383 ~ (360) 633-2377 ~ lifelongdental.com ~ 10/4/2024 ~ Key Phrases: Dentist Silverdale WA ~