Floss your teeth daily for a healthy smile

Posted on Apr 4, 2013

Floss your teeth daily for a healthy smile

If you think brushing your teeth consistently is enough to cleanse your teeth, unfortunately you’re wrong. Only 65 % of your mouth is cleaned when you brush your teeth. Flossing takes care of the rest, so if you don’t floss, you might want to read on to find out just why you should floss your teeth daily for a healthy smile.

Dental floss cleanses the top and outer areas of the teeth and gums. It is an inter-dental cleaner which is designed specifically to cleanse the tight spaces between the teeth and the space in between the base of the teeth and the gums that a toothbrush cannot get to.

There are many reasons why you should floss your teeth: one of those is prevention from having gum disease or Gingivitis (which is the first stage of gum disease). A person with gingivitis will show red and puffy gums, which will certainly likely bleed when cleaning your teeth. It is triggered by a buildup of bacterial plaque between and around the teeth. If gingivitis is left untreated, gum disease can spread and have an effect on tissues, teeth and bones, leading to periodontitis.

With periodontitis, the gum and bone pull away from the teeth, developing large pockets. Debris accumulates in the spaces between the gums and teeth, and infect the tooth area. Your immune system then attacks the microorganisms as the plaque spreads below the gum line. Bone and tissue that hold the tooth begin to break down – this is caused by contaminants created by germs. Teeth loosen and eventually fall out.

Buying a dental floss is less expensive and less painful than treating gum disease, especially during times when you are more prone to developing gum disease, such as when you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you’re not sure why you should floss your teeth, contact HGS Ortho and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.