Are There Real Benefits to Flossing?

There is a great debate going on right now about the benefits of daily flossing. Does flossing really prevent gum disease? Tooth decay? Is your mouth really healthier and cleaner? Would everyone be just fine if they skipped that part of the routine and stuck strictly to brushing only? Would we get more health benefit by getting an extra five minutes of sleep, instead of using that time to floss in the morning and at bedtime?

The battle lines have been drawn and we have picked our side: YES, there are real benefits to flossing! Since 1979, the American Dental Association has promoted the advantages of flossing. While most people lump all types of debris removal between the teeth into “flossing,” there are actually several options, such as oral irrigators and go-betweens, that do not use actual dental floss. All of the above help to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth which DOES leave your mouth cleaner and healthier!

Can you tell how much we believe in flossing!?

Pretty obvious! Now let’s take a look at just how flossing aids in the overall well-being of your mouth:

Flossing Absolutely Assists in the Prevention of Gum Disease

Gingivitis and periodontal disease are not minor problems. Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is a milder form of periodontal disease, but without treatment will eventually lead to a person developing periodontal disease. Gingivitis causes swollen, tender gums that easily bleed when flossing, brushing or even eating. You may or may not experience pain with gingivitis, so you may not recognize that you have it at first. So, how do you get gingivitis? It is caused by a buildup of plaque. Remember that little tidbit of information from above? Flossing is what removes this damaging plaque! Prevention of gum disease begins with regular daily flossing.

When gingivitis is not treated, it leads to a more serious form of periodontal disease called periodontitis. People who develop periodontitis will experience inflammation around the tooth. The gums will begin to recede or pull away from the teeth and infection begins to build up in the area around the tooth. The toxins that are being produced due to the infection causes the tooth (or maybe several teeth, depending on the amount of infection) and the connective tissue around the tooth to deteriorate. What does this mean for you? Tooth loss.

Flossing sounds like a good idea, right?

Additional Benefits

The rewards of flossing do not stop there! Do you know what happens when you leave plaque and tarter around your teeth? In addition to periodontal disease, this buildup also causes a serious case of halitosis. Halitosis is the medical term for stinky, eye-watering, bad breath. Brushing doesn’t help. Mouthwash only provides a temporary (if you’re lucky!) cover-up. In fact, if you notice or someone politely tells you that you have bad breath, it is possibly a sign that you have gingivitis or periodontitis.

Besides preventing mouth problems, regular flossing and caring for your teeth helps you to remain healthy overall, especially for those who have conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The mouth has harmful bacteria that can reach the heart, attach to the fatty plaque in the blood vessels and cause complications such as a stroke or heart attack. If you already have heart disease, you are at an even greater risk of this happening. Brushing your teeth and flossing helps to reduce the risk and will keep you healthy. If you are controlling your diabetes with diet and medication, you may notice that bleeding gums and excess plaque buildup can aggravate your symptoms. You may have a spike in your sugar levels that can be correlated to gum disease. Diabetes can also make it harder for a person to heal. When the gums get inflamed and infected, it can be harder to treat and can develop into something serious more quickly than in those without diabetes.

In conclusion, flossing is important. Like we talked about in the opening, flossing doesn’t necessarily mean actual dental floss. You may get a better clean with a water pik or dental brushes. The main thing is that you are flossing, as least once a day, and you are doing it correctly. If you have any concerns about your teeth, gums or how to floss, ask your dental hygienist or your dentist. If you think you may have gingivitis or periodontitis, it is vital that you contact your dentist to set up an appointment. You do not want to let this condition escalate to the point where your teeth have to be removed.