Why is flossing important?

Flossing once a day can prevent cavities, gum disease and tooth loss.

If you washed your face in the morning and it started to bleed, you’d likely be very worried. Yet, when you brush your teeth and your gums start to bleed, you probably don’t give it much thought. Did you know that bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease caused by the build-up of plaque around the teeth. Plaque irritates the gums, causing them to become red, tender and bleed easily.

If left untreated, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, a severe type of gum disease that can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, bone loss to occur and teeth to be lost. By flossing on a daily basis, you can thoroughly clean your teeth and eliminate bacteria, helping to prevent gum disease from wreaking havoc on your mouth.

According to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology, including flossing as part of your routine oral care reduces the amount of gum disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. The study, which was conducted at New York University, examined 51 sets of twins because twins typically share similar environmental factors, like health, life practices, dietary habits, and genetics.

Each set of twins was randomly assigned a two-week treatment regimen, with one twin using a toothbrush and toothpaste and the other twin using a toothbrush and toothpaste and flossing. At the end of the trial, samples were taken from both pairs of twins to measure and compare bacterial levels associated with gum disease. The twins who didn’t floss had significantly more bacteria associated with gum disease in their mouths than the twins who flossed.
 

Reverse the Symptoms of Gum Disease

If you have symptoms of gingivitis, which include red, swollen, and bleeding gums, floss your teeth every day and brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime. By doing so, you may be able to reverse the symptoms of gum disease without further treatment.

Flossing your teeth on a daily basis is also essential to preventing tooth decay. When plaque isn’t removed, it combines with the sugars and starches in the food you eat and attacks tooth enamel. You can remove plaque from the surface of your teeth with a toothbrush, but you can only remove plaque that builds up between your teeth with floss. Many people refuse to floss or believe it is too difficult, but it remains the most effective way to reduce your dental costs and reduce the chance that you need costly "deep cleanings" or periodontal surgery.

Another reason why it’s important to floss your teeth daily is that plaque hardens into tartar if it isn’t removed promptly. Unlike plaque, which you can remove with floss or a toothbrush, only your dentist can remove tartar, which forms around the gum line and makes it difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums.

Studies have also shown that flossing can help prevent heart attacks and strokes. If left unremoved, disease-causing bacteria can invade your bloodstream and reach cardiac tissue or produce inflammatory mediators that have widespread effects on other organs and other diseases. If you suffer from heart disease, you can reduce the risk of complications by practicing good oral hygiene and flossing your teeth on a daily basis.

There’s an old saying that goes, “You only need to floss the teeth you want to keep.” In other words, if you want to keep your teeth well into old age, floss religiously!
Schedule a Routine Cleaning with Woodinville Periodontist Dr. Terry L. LaBell.  Not only can we get your teeth exceptionally clean to jump start your flossing routine, but we can show you some of the latest tools and techniques that make flossing so much easier.

If you haven’t been flossing as much as you ought to, come in for a routine cleaning to improve the health of your teeth and gums and minimize the risk for developing periodontal problems in the future. Call us at 425.402.1246 or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment with Woodinville periodontist Dr. LaBell.

Added on 01/18/2012

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