Flossing could just be one of the most important things you do for your smile.
Most people assume that if they brush their teeth that they don’t really need to floss. If you’ve gotten out of the habit of flossing or have never done it before you better head to your local drugstore and pick up some floss. Why? Our Mount Airy dentists, Drs. Lynette and G. Bennett Smith, are here to tell you why.
Flossing is a habit that is so often forgotten. Perhaps it feels like it’s awkward to do or you just get too tired at night to do it. If you’ve made these excuses, you aren’t alone; however, if you truly want to protect your teeth from cavities and gum disease, then you must start flossing.
Fortunately, you don’t need to floss more than once a day in order to get a clean smile. That’s right! You only have to floss once a day. When you floss is really up to you. If you find that you get too tired at the end of a long day then you may decide that flossing is better for you during your morning routine. Whatever gets you flossing is what’s most important.
Why is flossing so crucial? Most people assume that their toothbrush can clean all surfaces of their teeth and gums, but if you only brush you are leaving a good portion of your teeth unclean. Food and plaque can still accumulate between teeth and along the gumline between teeth. Even your toothbrush won’t be able to fully remove plaque and food. This is where flossing comes in. Floss can get into those tight spaces and remove plaque buildup so that when you do brush, the toothpaste can reach more areas of your teeth for a more even and reliable clean.
You may be wondering what happens if you don’t floss. If you decide that flossing just isn’t necessary for you (which we hope you don’t!) then plaque will continue to build up between teeth and along the gumline. It doesn’t take long for plaque to harden into tartar if left on teeth. Tartar will irritate gums and lead to cavities and gingivitis. If you don’t come in to see your Mount Airy, MD, general dentist regularly for preventive care you may just find yourself facing full-blown gum disease if you aren’t careful. By flossing you could just protect your beautiful smile from so many dental issues in the future.
Have questions about flossing? Need to schedule a six-month dental cleaning? Then call Blue Ridge Dental in Mount Airy, MD, today.