Do I Really Need to Floss Daily?
Louisville, KY
Why does the American Dental Association recommend that each of us floss every day? There are several reasons. Regular flossing serves multiple purposes and has several benefits, some of which you may not know about… until now, that is. Today on the blog, Exceptional Dentistry explains why you need to floss daily.
The importance of flossing
It is impossible for any toothbrush to reach and adequately clean the small spaces between your teeth. Flossing daily removes plaque from these nooks and crannies, which prevents the buildup of potentially harmful tartar. Also, flossing removes excess food particles that can lead to tooth decay as well as bad breath.
Flossing is a key component of preventive care
When it comes to matters of health, being proactive is always better than waiting for a problem to develop. This holds true for your oral health as well. When you floss, you are lowering your risk of cavities and gum disease, as well as tooth loss. Having a healthy mouth ensures you can maintain good nutrition, prevents illness, improves your self-esteem and makes you feel better about your appearance.
What happens if you don’t floss every day?
Although daily flossing is advised, the vast majority of Americans do not follow this recommended course. According to a study released by the National Institute of Health, only 32% of American adults over the age of 30 floss every day, with 68% of adults flossing once a week and a disturbing 20% of the population who reported they do not floss at all. Failure to floss can significantly elevate your risk of gum disease, a chronic bacterial infection of the gums that can lead to cavities, tooth loss, deterioration of the supporting bone structure and even elevate your risk of cardiac disease. Left untreated, gum disease only becomes worse and can cause more problems.
The potential consequences of living with untreated gum disease also include:
- Halitosis, the clinical term for chronic bad breath
- Pain that could be extreme, emanating from the gums or jaws
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cardiovascular issues, including stroke
- Diabetes
- Complications during pregnancy, up to and including low birthweight or premature birth
Comprehensive dental care for our patients in Kentuckiana
Flossing and regular brushing are key components of a good regimen of oral care. Another part of that regimen is seeing your dentist every six months for a checkup that should include a cleaning and an oral examination. This procedure is intended for patients of almost any age, and recommended to begin when a child celebrates their first birthday or their first baby tooth erupts from the gum line. At this appointment, a member of our team also can review the proper techniques for brushing and flossing.
These dental checkups are part of our wide array of services in the area of preventive care. Many people have lapsed in seeing the dentist on a regular schedule in recent years. If you are one of them, now is a great time to get back on track. Exceptional Dentistry offers our services at three locations: in Louisville and Shepherdsville, Kentucky, as well as Jeffersonville in Indiana. We also are accepting new patients. To schedule a consultation at the location most convenient for you, call (502) 423-7868 or contact us online.
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