Considering the benefits of flossing teeth, many people regard flossing as an optional addition to brushing when it comes to home oral health habits. While it is an addition to brushing – as both cleaning methods are complementary – it is not strictly optional. On the contrary, most dentists would recommend that floss daily in addition to brushing twice daily.
Regular use of dental floss removes plaque, helping to prevent the buildup of plaque, which can lead to tartar. Simply flossing the teeth can make them look brighter by removing plaque and excess food particles you may not see in the mirror or in areas your toothbrush does not reach.
Daily flossing doesn’t just keep your teeth healthy—practicing good oral hygiene contributes to your health in other ways, too. Flossing helps prevent tooth decay and can reduce your risk of developing gum disease by removing plaque.
Millions of bacteria and other germs can be found in your oral cavity.
No matter how well you look after your teeth, bacteria and microorganisms are always trapped in between your teeth, particularly if you do not look after them by watching your diet and practicing proper oral care hygiene habits like brushing and flossing.
When flossing is done correctly, it helps to remove food debris and bacteria from the areas that brushing cannot access, thereby preventing bacteria from building up micro-organic colonies in these areas. Regular flossing also disrupts the bacteria from turning into plaque, which is a sticky coating of yellowish substances that stains and damages your teeth over time.
Benefits of Flossing Teeth After Eating
Losing weight can be challenging. And while there’s no study or direct evidence linking dental health to successful dieting, anecdotal evidence supports the idea that brushing and flossing after eating can make you less tempted to snack.
It is not always convenient to brush your teeth in the middle of the day. However, even flossing after a meal can help promote good dental hygiene and also make your mouth feel cleaner, regardless of whether you’re trying to lose weight or just avoid mid-afternoon munchies.
When you do reach for a healthy snack, keep in mind that some popular choices, like pretzels or raisins and other dried fruits, are good for your health but have a tendency to stick between your teeth. Dried fruits are also high in sugar, which can cause tooth decay along with bacteria. Fortunately, flossing can help keep your teeth clean so you don’t undermine your healthy efforts with a cavity at your next checkup.
No matter what diet you follow, you can keep your mouth and teeth looking and feeling great by following a regular oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and flossing.
Read More: The essential mineral for a healthy smile
The Proper Flossing Technique
You are flossing. Great. But for dental floss to effectively remove plaque from your teeth, you need to be sure you’re using the correct technique.
Because you’ll be putting your fingers into your mouth, be sure to wash your hands before you reach for the floss.
There are different types to choose for flossing, and you can even choose a variety of types to meet your needs and those of your family members. As long as you use the correct technique, the type of floss you use is a matter of personal preference.
It does not matter whether you start with your upper or lower teeth or start in the front or the back. Just make sure that you floss all your teeth, including the back side of the very last tooth on the left, right, top and bottom of your mouth. Moreover, do not forget to floss under the gum line and along the sides of teeth that border any spaces where teeth are missing—food particles can also become trapped in these spaces. Using the correct technique will help you remove the excess food particles and plaque buildup between your teeth and help improve your oral health.
Daily brushing and flossing form the bedrock of at-home preventative oral care. Thinking of any other benefits of flossing teeth? Share them in comments with us!
