Top Reasons To Floss On A Consistent Basis

We all know that brushing regularly is crucial for the cleanliness and health of our mouth. However it is often overlooked that brushing cleans only 65 percent of the area that needs to be cleaned. When you brush your teeth without flossing, you are ignoring 35% of your teeth and leaving them at risk and unclean. Let’s suppose most people only typically cleaned 65 % of their body on a regular basis. This is just what is going on within your mouth. The solution, of course, is flossing. Dental floss cleans between your teeth and gums, straight into all of the difficult to reach dirty and dark places that your toothbrush just cannot get to.

Most importantly, flossing aids in preventing cavities. Dental floss gets down deep in between teeth and gums to get rid of food remnants that can become lodged there. It also helps eliminate and prevent plaque from building up in those tough to reach places. Left alone, bits of food and plaque build up and provide sheltered spots for enamel damaging bacteria to grow and flourish. Flossing, thus, can be a strong tool against the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Flossing helps as well to protect you from undesirable tartar build-up. Tartar is the culprit that results in that unappealing yellowish discoloration on tooth enamel. Tartar starts as plaque. If left in place on your teeth, the plaque will solidify and calcify over time. Tartar builds a strong bond with the tooth enamel and can only be removed by a hygienist. Therefore, it is to your advantage to halt tartar build up where it starts by brushing and flossing every day.

One more reason for flossing on a regular basis is to reduce damage to your gum tissue. Plaque is home to over 300 types of bacteria. In addition to tooth decay, these bacteria could potentially cause irritation and harm to the gums. Typical gum conditions include gingivitis and periodontitis. These problems could cause soreness and bleeding in your gum tissue. They also can cause your gums to recede, letting plaque to attack the lower supporting bone structures of your teeth.

If combating tooth decay and gum disease were not adequate motivation, flossing also helps to counteract halitosis or unpleasant mouth odor. Nobody wants to have bad breath. It is an awkward condition that can be easily addressed by consistent flossing. If left alone, the particles of food and plaque between your teeth can rot and generate unpleasant odors. Flossing takes out these particles of food and plaque and aids in preventing halitosis.

Flossing regularly can protect against a wide range of undesirable issues. But do you know that dental flossing may possibly also help you to live longer? Doctors Thomas Perls and Michael Roizen, two distinguished investigators on aging both believe that flossing can add years to your life. Presently there is research that suggests these same bacteria which contributes to tooth enamel decay can migrate into the blood stream and cause swelling and inflammation in the arteries. Thus, consistent flossing may also help keep one of the major factors of cardiovascular disease at bay. Dr. Perls suggests that consistent flossing can expand life-span by 1.5 years. Dr. Michael Roizen, indicates that regular flossing just might prolong one’s life by up to 6.4 years.

So know you have the facts. Flossing keeps your mouth healthy and clean by going after the 35% of your mouth which you cant access by brushing your teeth alone. It inhibits tooth decay, tartar buildup, periodontal disease, as well as bad breath. The straightforward act of flossing every day may also add up to 6 years to your lifespan. In short, flossing helps to keep both your gum tissue along with your body’s defense mechanisms strong, and may even help you live a longer life.

Of course brushing and flossing is really important. But it is also important to have a talented dentist on your side. If you are looking for a dentist Flagstaff offers a number of possibilities. Fortunately, I found a Flagstaff dentist that I like. The dentist and his staff really go out of their way to make me feel relaxed and comfortable. I actually enjoy going to the dentist now.