Although it’s a step that many forget, flossing is a critical element in your daily oral health regimen. As your local dentist specialists in Mississauga, we at Bristol Dental can explain why flossing is vital in keeping your teeth healthy and clean for the years to come.
Let’s explore why flossing is so important, and the steps you can take to care for your oral health more effectively.
What are the benefits of flossing every day?
Building a routine and flossing every day is the foundation to optimal oral health. Some of the benefits of flossing include:
-
Prevents Gum Disease
-
Reduce Heart Disease
-
Prevent Tooth Decay
-
Improve Your Breath
-
Enhance the Appearance of Your Teeth
When you floss, you take a proactive approach to prevent periodontal disease. The bacteria found in plaque causes an inflammatory response that can contribute to gum disease. Flossing helps minimize this risk and decreases gum recession, tooth and bone loss, and bleeding.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in North America. As well, we know that gum disease plays a significant role in heart disease development. The studies show that you have a 20% higher chance of having heart disease if you have gum disease.
The data indicate gum disease narrows the arteries to your heart, thus causing cardiovascular disease.
Gum disease is also a leading cause of tooth decay. Removing bacteria from between your teeth can help to keep the area clean and remove cavity-causing bacteria. You’ll need fewer fillings and require fewer challenging dental treatments in the future with a proactive approach to flossing your teeth.
Ever worry about how your breath smells when you’re socializing with friends and family? By flossing every day, you can help to remove much of the odour-causing bacteria that leads to bad breath. Flossing gives you the confidence to speak with everyone at home or the office knowing your breath is fresh and your gums are healthy.
Flossing is one of the best ways to enhance the brightness of your smile and the healthy appeal of your gums. Your smile will shine, and you’ll receive far more positive feedback when you floss every day after your meals!
Flossing Should Become a Key Part of Your Full Oral Health Routine
Flossing is essential in achieving optimal oral health for the years ahead. However, it’s only one part of a comprehensive and proactive approach to oral health care. Ensure that you’re taking the following steps to protect your teeth and gums:
-
Floss Before Your Brush
-
Brushing
-
Use Mouthwash
-
Book Regular Dental Visits
The data suggest that flossing before you brush is the best way to eliminate all bacteria from your mouth. Most experts recommend that you floss twice a day. If you’re finding that food becomes stuck between your teeth more often, then you may need to floss more.
Brush your teeth for at least a minute each morning when you wake up and in the evening before you go to bed. Many people don’t brush their teeth for the required amount of time. This approach can make you more likely to experience dental health issues, even if you’re actively brushing your teeth twice a day. Try timing yourself for the first few days to learn how much time your brushing technique takes.
Regularly using mouthwash is a great way to remove food remnants and other bacteria within the mouth. Mouthwashes help support a healthy environment within the mouth and to develop healthy gums. However, it’s also important to remember that using mouthwash doesn’t replace the need to floss. Both practices are critical to a healthy mouth!
It’s unfortunate, but some patients find that no matter how often they floss and brush, they experience oral health issues such as gingivitis and cavities. Ensure that you book regular appointments with your Mississauga dentist to help prevent long-standing health issues. If you see a dentist within a week of identifying tooth pain or sensitive gums, the specialist is better able to apply effective treatment.
A Healthy Diet Is Key to Maintaining Your Oral Health
It’s so important to stay on top of your flossing and general oral health requirements. Without a commitment to your diet, though, you may find you begin to experience several oral health issues regardless of how often you brush and floss!
So, to help you stay on track with your oral health goals, here are a few dietary tips:
-
Drink Plenty of Water
-
Choose Healthy Snacks
-
Avoid High-Carb Meals
Where possible, choose water over other drink options. Fruit juices might have vitamins, but they usually contain high amounts of sugar that can damage your teeth. Other liquids such as tea and coffee can stain your teeth. So, try to minimize your consumption of dark-coloured liquids to avoid harming your bright white smile.
Healthy snacks are the best way to stave off hunger and protect your teeth. Snacks such as nuts and seeds provide you with the calories you need while supporting your oral health. Other snacks that are low in sugar and high in nutritional content include apples, hard-boiled eggs, and yogurt.
High-carb foods such as french fries, bread, and potato chips are known to harm oral health. The carbohydrates break down into sugar when ingested and become acidic in your mouth. Try to find low-carb alternatives to prevent damage to your teeth and gums.
Our team at Bristol Dental is here to guide you in protecting your oral health for the years ahead. To book an appointment and speak with a trusted local Mississauga dentist, call us today at 905-712-3409.
