To keep your mouth healthy, flossing should be a key component of your oral hygiene routine. But, often people who brush their teeth thoroughly wonder why they need to floss. Here's why flossing is important for protecting your smile.
To keep your teeth and gums healthy your oral health routine should include a good at-home oral hygiene routine and regular visits to your dentist for cleanings and checkups.
At-Home Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day, and flossing once a day make for a strong at-home oral hygiene routine.
That said, patients who do a fabulous job brushing their teeth often believe that brushing is sufficient for keeping their teeth and gums healthy and skip flossing altogether.
But it's important to note that approximately 1/3 of your tooth's surface is difficult to reach with a toothbrush alone. If you skip flossing your teeth just aren't as clean as they could be.
Flossing is key to removing plaque and bacteria from those tight spaces where your toothbrush just can't reach.
Plaque
Chances are good that you've heard about plaque, but do you know what it is?
Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth throughout the day. It coats your teeth where it can can cause cavities, and can get under your gum line possibly leading to gum disease.
Tartar
When plaque remains on your teeth it can harden and become tartar. In fact, plaque can become tartar in as little as 36 hours. Tartar needs to be removed from your teeth by a dental professional.
Flossing every day can help you to prevent the plaque trapped in the tight spaces between your teeth from 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.