Is Flossing Really a Big Deal?

Think it’s okay to slack on your flossing efforts, or not do the job at all? Think again. Flossing is critical to your dental health as well as your overall health. Unfortunately, this important habit is one that only 1 out of 4 Americans do on a daily basis. That is a lot of people who are missing nearly 40% of their tooth surfaces by just brushing alone. Without floss, you simply can’t reach those tiny crevices where bacteria and plaque like to collect. There are some notable consequences when you neglect to floss, including gum disease and tooth loss.

Not flossing on a regular basis can cause disease and infection in otherwise healthy gum tissues. Gum disease can cause a host of problems within your smile and your body. Here’s a glance at what can happen when you forgo your floss:

• Bleeding Gums
• Red, Puffy Gums
• Tartar Buildup
• Halitosis (Bad Breath)
• Premature Tooth Loss
• Problems During Pregnancy
• Yellow Teeth
• Cavities

Now that you’ve got a basic understanding of how important flossing is, it is important that you are doing it correctly. Work the thread of floss gently in between your teeth in a sawing motion until you reach the gum line. Never jab down with the floss, as it can damage your gum tissues. Use the floss to scrape the insides of your teeth. Make sure to floss every tooth – even the back of your last tooth.

There are countless flossing options available; from traditional ribbon floss and water flossers to handheld flossing tools and more. At Marietta Dental Professionals, we want you to use whatever type of floss helps you get the job done!