The benefits of flossing

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One overlooked aspect of oral care, is often flossing. Many consider flossing as redundant due to the fact that they brush twice a day, however, this could not be further from the truth. Flossing plays an important role in keeping our teeth both healthy and strong, and can assist in preventing cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. In this article, we will explore further into the benefits of flossing, and the affect flossing can have on your teeth.

 

The importance of flossing daily

You should begin incorporating flossing into your regular dental hygiene routine from the age of 12. Flossing aids the removal of stains on the teeth, through removing deposits of plaque and tartar that have built up over time.  Through flossing daily, you also reduce the chances that you will need dentures later on in life, as it strengthens your teeth, whilst also making them look whiter due to the removal of plaque.

A common reason for avoiding flossing is because many people find the process painful and uncomfortable, however, there are many different and varying floss products, which can make the experience easy and painless.

There are also specialised flossing problems, to accommodate people with specific dental requirements. For people who wear braces or dentures, there are floss ‘sticks’ developed exactly for this purpose. These have a stiff plastic handle, making it much easier to reach and floss between the main wire of the brace, allowing for a deeper and more thorough clean.

You should teach you children the benefits of flossing at an early age, however, let them begin flossing at a later age, as young children might be more sensitive to flossing and experience pain when doing so.

 

Flossing can whiten your teeth

Whitening floss is just one of the many floss variants now available, to assist you with dental care. Due to the increasing popularity of teeth whitening products, many dental brands have capitalised on this trend, and have released many new whitening products, such as floss, tooth paste and mouthwash.

Whitening floss is either developed with a coat of microscopic silica products, or are treated with calcium peroxide to assist in the breaking down of proteins that are left on the teeth, which cause decolourisation.

Whilst these are new and ingenious ways to whiten your teeth, the main way flossing will improve the overall appearance of your teeth is through removing excess food particles and bacteria-rich plaque. Your teeth will begin looking a lot healthier through flossing, as this also helps maintain healthy gums too.

 

 

Flossing fights off bad breath

If you are looking for more reasons to floss regularly, those who suffer with bad breath can find a solution in flossing. Flossing fights off bad breath through removing the tiny excess food particles in between your teeth, which could otherwise stick and collect bacteria, which can cause bad breath to develop.

Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine through re=gular brushing and flossing, will really help fight off bad breath, although if the problem persists, it may be time to consult your dentist about the issue, for further help.

 

Flossing and health

We know that a good oral hygiene can fight off ailments such as cavities, gum disease or tooth decay. But brushing and flossing regularly not only helps keep your teeth and gums healthy, it also plays a big role in your overall health too.

Flossing regularly means that you can regularly examine your mouth for any abnormalities, such as swelling, or sensitive areas. Conditions such as cancer or AIDS can lead to lesions within the mouth, which are easily detectable when brushing or flossing.

 

It is never too late to begin flossing, and the sooner you implement it within your daily routine, the more beneficial the affects will be. If you are looking for more dental information, why not check out the rest of our blog posts, or contact Malvern dentists today!

 

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