Flossing 101

You hear it every time you go to the dentist: brush twice a day, and floss at least daily. Obviously, you understand that brushing your teeth is necessary to remove food, bacteria, and plaque, but why is flossing so important? We can give you several good reasons to floss your teeth.

  • When you floss, you remove plaque and food particles your toothbrush left behind. Your teeth will look brighter after you floss because, just like in the old carpet demonstrations, dirt is being removed that you didn’t even realize was there.
  • Flossing can help protect your overall health. An increasing body of evidence links periodontal disease to an increased heart disease risk. This may be because mouth infections increase inflammatory substances in the blood, or it could be because bacteria from your mouth can enter the bloodstream. Whatever the reason, flossing protects your heart by reducing your risk of gum disease.
  • When you floss, you get to take a close look at your mouth. There are conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other conditions, that can create lesions in your mouth and cause your gums to redden and swell. Flossing gets you up close and personal with your mouth so that you can let your doctor know what’s going on.
  • Flossing helps protect your gums. When your gums are chronically unhealthy, you are at an increased risk of losing your teeth. Brushing twice a day is extremely important to your oral hygiene, it may not be enough to protect you from gum disease and the resultant tooth loss. Flossing provides an extra layer of protection.
  • When you floss, you improve the health of your gums. You may be reluctant to floss because you have sensitive or bleeding gums, but in fact, flossing can make your gums healthier and help prevent bleeding.
  • It’s never too late to start flossing. No matter when you start, you can improve your oral hygiene and the health of your gums. Flossing, combined with brushing and rinsing, can protect against gingivitis, remove plaque and food particles, and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
  • Brushing and flossing right after you eat may help you lose weight. When your mouth feels clean, you’ll be less likely to snack mindlessly between meals.

Brushing, flossing, and seeing a dentist twice a year for a checkup and a cleaning can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you’re looking for a reliable dentist, look to Glenwood Premier Dental, where we believe that a healthy, confident smile is an important part of a happy and healthy lifestyle. Our staff of caring professionals offers a wide range of dental services, working to exceed our patients’ expectations, and provide the best possible service. We offer dental exams and teeth cleanings, implant dentistry, Invisalign, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, and more, using state of the art technology in a comfortable and friendly environment. If you’re looking for dental care in Hazlet, contact us through our website or call 732.264.4477.