Flossing your teeth is very important. I bet you have been told countless times that you need to floss your teeth every day; but why? You might think that just brushing your teeth is good enough, and while brushing is paramount for cleaning your teeth, flossing plays a bigger role than you might think. Here are 5 reasons why flossing your teeth is a crucial component of a healthy smile and more.

1. Flossing Removes Plaque

Believe it or not, flossing actually does about 40% of the work with regards to removing plaque from your teeth. Think of it this way–including the top, every tooth has 5 surfaces, and if you don’t floss between your teeth you are missing 2/5ths of the possible cleaning areas. Leaving behind plaque can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.

2. Flossing Removes Hidden Food Particles That Cause Decay

We always hear “Brush & Floss” together as a package deal, and for good reason, too. The effectiveness of your brushing is directly connected to whether or not you floss. Flossing BEFORE you brush is actually the best way to give your mouth a full cleanse. Flossing dislodges any food, plaque, or bacteria that is stuck in your teeth, so flossing helps your brushing become more effective. The fluoride in the toothpaste you brush with works much better if those particles are out of the way. Most people who have flossing in their routine already will do so after they brush their teeth, but if you do that a lot of the particles that you get off your teeth when flossing will stay in your mouth until the next time you brush.

3. Flossing Helps Prevent Gingivitis

Flossing Prevents gingivitis. Gingivitis is a disease that causes the gums to become swollen and sensitive. Truly healthy gums will not bleed when brushing or flossing, so if you have sensitive gums that bleed easily, it is important to floss more regularly. Your teeth are actually attached at a lower point than the edge of the gums that we can see, and the food & plaque that get stuck there cause gingivitis. Flossing regularly will significantly reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth; and keeping plaque from extending below the gumline will prevent gingivitis.

4. Flossing Helps You Keep Your Whole Body Healthy

Flossing on a regular basis doesn’t just keep your mouth healthy. There is an increasing amount of evidence that gum disease can actually be linked to an individual’s risk of heart disease. Researchers are finding that infections in the mouth can increase the amount of inflammatory substance in the blood, just like other infections. These inflammatory substances can slow blood flow and increase the chance of clotting. Flossing keeps much more than your mouth healthy!

5. Flossing Is A Cost-Effective Way To Maintain Good Dental Health

This one might be your favorite: Flossing is a low-cost and easy way to have a positive impact on your dental health. Flossing is inexpensive and will only add another minute or two to your usual routine. You can have better breath, cleaner & whiter teeth, and lower your chances of getting periodontal diseases just by spending a few extra minutes each day. With flossing being so quick, and easy, you will be wondering why you didn’t focus more on it a long time ago. Floss regularly and you’ll be thanking yourself for a more confident smile.

Conclusion

We have all been told our whole lives that flossing is important for our dental health, but it’s just so easy to NOT do it. You will find that it is already an easy task, takes very little time, doesn’t cost much to do, and will significantly improve the way your mouth looks & feels. It goes beyond just preventing diseases like gingivitis, and can actually help keep other parts of your body healthy. Flossing works best as a combo with brushing; and for maximum effectiveness make sure to floss first and THEN brush afterwards. Flossing plays a bigger role in your dental hygiene than most people realize.