When the average person heads in for their regular dentist appointment, they generally know in advance that they will be asked whether or not they have been flossing. While some people try to skirt around the reality of their committing to flossing, dentists always know the truth—but dentists do not ask about your flossing habits to scold you. They ask because it is an important part of your oral health. In this article, we will discuss why flossing is so important.

The Truth About Flossing

Flossing is a necessary part of caring for your teeth, but it is one process that way too many people miss out on. Though flossing isn’t fun, it does play a very important role in supporting your oral health. When you don’t floss, you can expect to hear about it from your dentist. This is because they know exactly how important it is—just like they know if you haven’t been doing it.

It Removes Bacteria

When you floss, you remove almost half of the bacteria living on your teeth. You might not think your mouth is dirty, but it is, and if you don’t floss, you are missing out on the opportunity to remove sticky and dangerous bacteria that can lead to bad breath, disease, and even medical problems. 

It Promotes Oral Health

Taking the time to floss every day is one of the best things that you can do for your oral health. By reducing how much bacteria is on your teeth, you can lessen your likelihood of long-term oral health problems. Bacteria promotes disease, which is why removing it is so important. Flossing regularly helps promote good gum and prosthodontic health.

In addition to removing bacteria and preventing disease, flossing also helps to lessen your likelihood of losing your teeth down the line. The more care you take of your teeth now, the less likely you are to lose them later. 

It Keeps Gums Healthy

Gum health should be a key point of concern for every single one of us because it has a huge impact on how your smile looks—and the health of your teeth. Gums can take on serious damage when you don’t floss, ultimately leading them to recede. Not only does this not look nice, but it can put your teeth in danger. The truth is, if you want a full mouth of teeth and a vibrant smile, you must take care of your gums by flossing.

The Takeaway

The average person doesn’t enjoy flossing, and we agree that it can be a little tedious, but like plenty of other healthy habits, it is an important one. Supporting your teeth and gums by flossing can help you to have fresher breath, a nicer smile, and can also substantially cut down on health costs down the line.

For the best oral health support, be sure to floss your teeth every single day, even when it isn’t convenient. A little work with flossing can save you years of discomfort down the line. For additional tips, be sure to ask your dentist how you can support your teeth!