CLINICAL CONTENT REVIEWED BY
Dr. Vidhi Vatsala

Last Modified: Mar 30, 2023

FACT CHECKED

Table of Contents


  • 01.Is flossing even necessary?
  • 02.Benefits of Flossing – Regular and Dental
  • 03.Conclusion

Many people have concerns regarding flossing. Regular flossing is necessary to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent a range of dental problems. When you eat food or drink anything, there will always be some food particles getting stuck in different corners of your mouth like between the teeth gaps, over the gums etc.

Is flossing even necessary?

As per dentists, brushing your teeth twice everyday is important. However, it doesn’t remove all of the food particles and plaque that builds up between your teeth and below the gum line which makes it necessary to floss regularly. Also, if you wear aligners, it becomes more important to keep flossing and avoid any chance of mouth infection.

Dig in further to understand how and why flossing is necessary for your oral health and hygiene.

Benefits of Flossing – Regular and Dental

The food we eat and drink often leads to plaque build-up on the teeth and gums which need to be washed off daily to maintain oral hygiene. Some benefits of Flossing regularly include:

1- Removes Plaque and Bacteria

Flossing removes the plaque and bacteria that can build up between your teeth and gums, which reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Plaque is a sticky film that can form on your teeth and cause cavities, while bacteria can cause inflammation and infection in your gums.

Usually, if you have teeth gaps, the food particles might get stuck, and if you don’t floss over time, it will start decaying the teeth and the connected gums. Wear an Invisalign aligner to fix your misaligned teeth and gaps.

2- Prevents Gum Disease

Gum disease is the most common problem caused if you don’t floss your teeth regularly. Flossing is an effective way to prevent gum disease because it removes the plaque that can cause it. When you floss, you remove the bacteria that can build up between your teeth and gums, which reduces the risk of inflammation and infection.

If your regular flossing at home is not showing any results, you can proceed with dental floss to maintain oral hygiene.

3- Helps with Bad Breath

Bacteria build-up in your mouth is a big cause of bad breath also known as halitosis. If you go outside and socialise, bad breath can be a big turndown. Flossing helps to remove the food particles and bacteria that can contribute to bad breath. By flossing regularly, you can keep your mouth clean and fresh.

Besides this, bad breath can cause diabetes, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and kidney problems etc.

4- Saves Money on Dental Bills

By flossing regularly, you can prevent dental problems before they become more serious and costly to treat. Gum disease, for example, can require expensive treatments such as root canals or even tooth extractions. By flossing regularly, you can save money on dental floss and avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of dental procedures.

5- Improves Overall Health

As we know oral health is interrelated with the well-being of overall health, poor oral health can lead to health problems like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. By flossing regularly, you can help reduce the risk of these health problems and improve your overall health.

6- Helps Maintain a Bright, White Smile

Flossing can help to maintain a bright, white smile by removing the plaque that can cause tooth discolouration. By removing the bacteria and food particles that can stain your teeth, you can keep your smile looking its best.

Conclusion

Flossing should be a part of your daily lifestyle to reduce any chance of gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath. Also, dental floss is always there to prevent severe cases of plaque and cavities.

 

 

Author

Dr. Vidhi Vatsala

Mar 30, 2023