We all know that the dentist is going to tell you to floss your teeth. But is it really that important? We see patients daily that have decided it isn’t worth the time or the trouble. To a lot of people, flossing is just too big of a hassle.
Unfortunately, avoiding the five-minute a day “hassle” now, will end up costing those who pass on flossing much more trouble in the future. And no, the dentist isn’t just saying that to torture you. We are saying that because we want to see your mouth remain healthy.
Avoiding flossing is like only washing one side of a dirty dish and then putting it back in the cupboard. While the clean side may appear nice and shiny, all sorts of bacteria and dirt are building up on the other side, which really makes the dish a health hazard. When we see patients that don’t floss, we see a build up of bacteria and plaque hiding between teeth that are secretly destroying their mouth.
So what are the benefits of flossing? The act of flossing breaks up plaque bacterial biofilm on your teeth. If this bacterial-ridden biofilm is allowed to remain on your teeth, it actually can change the chemistry of your mouth and makes it possible for “pathogens” to survive. These pathogens put you at risk of developing infection and even disease. Gum infection (gingivitis) can lead to gum disease (periodontitis) and eventually cause tooth loss.
If you aren’t flossing, and don’t see any signs of infection or build-up between teeth, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Don’t let your smile deceive you until it’s too late. Flossing regularly makes sure that gum disease doesn’t have a fighting chance. Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions about how to properly floss your teeth.
