Patients often ask our Langley dentists why they should bother to floss. After all, if they brush thoroughly isn't that good enough? Not quite, here's why flossing is important for a healthy smile.
To maintain healthy teeth and gums your oral hygiene routine should include a good at-home dental care routine and regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings.
At-Home Oral Hygiene
Thoroughly brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, and flossing once a day make for a strong at-home oral hygiene routine.
Some patients who do a fabulous job brushing their teeth, skip flossing altogether in the belief that brushing is sufficient for keeping their smile bright and healthy.
But don't be fooled, approximately 1/3 of each tooth's surface is difficult to reach with a toothbrush. That means, if you skip flossing those hard to reach places aren't getting the cleaning that they need.
Flossing is the best way to remove plaque and bacteria from the tight spaces between your teeth and at your gum line where your toothbrush just can't reach.
Plaque
Over the course of the day a sticky film of bacteria called plaque, builds up on your teeth. Plaque coats your teeth and can lead to cavities, or even get under your gum line possibly leading to periodontal disease (gum disease).
Tartar
If plaque isn't removed from your teeth, it can quickly harden and become tartar. Tartar needs to scraped away from your teeth by a dental professional. Plaque can become tartar in as little as 36 hours!
Flossing every day helps you to prevent plaque from being trapped in the tight spaces between your teeth and hardening into tartar. That means less scraping the next time you visit your dental office for a cleaning, and less chance of developing tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
To keep your smile healthy, take a few minutes to floss everyday.