Is Forgetting to Floss Really a Big Deal

You're very conscious about your dental health, and always brush your teeth at least twice a day. Do you remember to floss, though? A lot of people - even those who brush regularly - tend to let flossing fall by the wayside.

Forgetting every now and then isn't a big deal, but what happens when forgetting turns into a habit? Let's explore why flossing is so important, both to your mouth, and body as a whole.

Flossing Helps Prevent Cavities

By the time they're teenagers, more than half of children have had a cavity at some point. One in four adults have cavities currently. There are plenty of things you can do to prevent cavities, but flossing is one of the simplest.

When you eat, food gets between your teeth. Even the bits that you can't feel or see are still there, hiding in the crevices. Modern toothbrushes are designed to clean between your teeth, but only dental floss can get all the way through the spaces between them and remove the residue that builds up there.

If you don't remove that residue, it forms a film called plaque. Plaque is acidic, and over time, it wears away at your tooth enamel, causing cavities. However, flossing can reduce plaque, thus helping to prevent those cavities.

Flossing Protects Your Gums

The first time you floss after a long hiatus might make your gums bleed. However, if you keep it up, soon the bleeding will stop. Regular flossing helps prevent gingivitis, or gum inflammation, which is the first step towards more serious gum disease. Studies show that people who floss regularly are less likely to have their gums bleed, and less likely to get gingivitis and gum disease, too.

Flossing Helps Keep Your Entire Body Healthy

The bacteria that builds up from gum disease doesn't just stay in your mouth. Many scientists believe that it can enter your bloodstream, causing inflammation and even infection in other areas, including the heart. In fact, studies have shown that if you floss regularly and don't get gum disease, you're also less likely to get heart disease and other health issues.

Alternatives to Flossing

What if you just hate flossing? It's messy and awkward, and parts of your mouth can be difficult to reach. Fortunately, flossing with string isn't your only option. There are alternatives, which can be just as effective.

Waterpik uses water pressure to reach between your teeth. Fill it with water, and select a tip attachment to control the kind of spray you get. Put the nozzle in your mouth, turn it on, and spray across your gumline. The food residue between your teeth will be dislodged, just like regular flossing.

In addition to water, you can also use air to floss. The AirFloss is similar to the Waterpik. Aim the nozzle at the space between each of your teeth in turn, and a short burst of air and water will get rid of the residue that builds up.

If you're out of the habit of flossing, it can be difficult to remember to do it. However, with a little effort and some simple cues (a reminder on your phone works great, or even a Post-It on the bathroom mirror), you can get back in the habit in no time. Then you can improve both your health and your smile, for years to come.

For more information about new advances in flossing, ideas for how to keep up the habit, and how missing flossing has affected your dental health, contact Dr. Kanehl to make an appointment.