A Family Dentist Explains Why You Should Floss Everyday

Talk to a family dentist office such as North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry near Buford and they will tell you that brushing and flossing regularly is one of the most effective ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Teeth are constantly being coated with things that can damage them, like plaque and acids excreted by oral bacteria. These acids eat away at teeth structures, forming tiny holes called cavities.

Cavities are often the first sign of tooth decay and they tend to expand when left untreated. A cavity will eventually make its way to the pulp chamber where a tooth's nerve and blood vessels are housed. That makes the tooth vulnerable to infection.

A family dentist goes over the importance of flossing daily

Dental floss does to the spaces in between teeth what brushing does for most of a person's teeth surfaces. Since the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach the tight spaces between a person's teeth, floss is used to clean these areas. Flossing helps to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from interdental spaces.

Flossing typically takes less than a few minutes, yet it can help to prevent emergency trips to the dentist, bleeding gums, and gum disease. It also keeps teeth shiny and clean. Here are some of the reasons why our family dentist recommends flossing daily:

Gets rid of plaque

One of the main reasons why family dentists recommend flossing daily is to get rid of plaque. This is the film that builds up on teeth after meals. It consists of bacteria, sugars, and acids excreted by bacteria. Plaque eats away at teeth and eventually calcifies into tartar which does the same.

The acids created by bacteria in plaque are what leads to tooth decay and the dental issues that can be a result of that. Flossing daily helps to remove plaque from interdental spaces before it calcifies and turns into tartar.

Reduces gum bleeding

Those who do not floss regularly are more likely to notice blood coming from their gums after brushing or flossing. Flossing daily reduces the risk of this happening by cleaning spaces between teeth and reducing the bacteria there. As a result, the person's gums are less likely to be inflamed or to bleed.

Keeps gum disease away

Gum disease is a condition that leads to gums becoming swollen, tender, and inflamed. It leads to issues like receding gums, bad breath, damaged bone structures in the mouth, and loose teeth. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis and it can be reversed with good oral hygiene. The advanced stage, called periodontal disease, can lead to the loss of teeth.

Flossing removes bacteria on teeth, reducing the risk of any of it getting underneath the gums where it causes gum disease. Brushing on its own is not enough to keep interdental spaces plaque-free.

Take control of your oral health

Start brushing and flossing daily if you do not already do so. Call or visit our Buford clinic to learn more about how flossing protects your teeth.

Request an appointment here: https://buforddentist.com or call North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry at (770) 932-1115 for an appointment in our Buford office.

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