Understanding the Vital Role of Flossing

We all understand the importance of twice-daily brushing. The habit will protect your dental health, and lessen your chances of running into painful oral hygiene problems later in life. According to government data, around 77% of adults brush their teeth twice a day. But if we consider flossing, this number declines dramatically: of the people who brush twice daily, just 30% use dental floss.

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Flossing can be done in two ways. You might use a string of nylon or teflon to scrub between teeth, or you might use an electric water flosser (otherwise known as an oral irrigator), which works a little more like a pressure-washer for your teeth.

Importance of flossing and its impact on dental wellness

The efficacy of flossing is disputed in some quarters. Despite this, the NHS still endorses the practice – which should indicate that the benefits are substantial. But what are those benefits?

Plaque Prevention

Flossing will scrub away plaque on your teeth before it has a chance to harden into tartar. It’ll be able to reach the spaces between your teeth, in a way that mere brushing cannot. Tartar is heavily linked with oral health problems like gingivitis and periodontitis – which means this isn’t just a matter of aesthetics.

Your teeth have five surfaces, namely: buccal (facing outward), occlusal (the tops), lingual (facing the tongue), mesial (between the teeth) and distal (between the teeth). Of these, only the first three can be brushed. Mesial and distal surfaces can be scrubbed only with the help of dental floss.

Gum Health

Gums tend to become more sensitive as children enter adolescence. Gums may start to redden, inflame, and generally become tender. This is something that flossing can help with.

Reduces Risk of Cavities

A cavity is a part of the outer enamel of your teeth that has been damaged. Over time, cavities worsen, because they provide a space for small food particles to become trapped. The deeper the cavity, the more easily it can trap more particles, and the worse the decay will be.

When it comes to cavities, the old advice holds true: it’s better to prevent the problem from occurring than it is to try to fix it afterwards. This means brushing teeth, as well as flossing them.

Fresh Breath

Finally, we should note that dental floss will help your mouth to smell clean, too. It does this not just by scrubbing away plaque and dirt – it’ll also usually contain trace aromas, like mint, which will ultimately help to build that minty-fresh sensation. If you’re looking to create a good impression, therefore, flossing is essential.

Conclusion

While flossing isn’t a widespread practice, its benefits are difficult to dismiss. For perfect oral hygiene, you’ll want to give it a try!