Ask a General Dentist: What Are the Benefits of Flossing Regularly?

General Dentist Hackensack, NJ

Our general dentist recommends flossing at least once per day to protect your teeth against gum disease and tooth decay. Having good brushing habits is not enough to keep your teeth healthy. The bristles of a toothbrush cannot properly clean the tight spaces between teeth. As a result, plaque and tartar can build up between these spaces, damaging teeth structures and infecting gum tissues.

Our general dentist explores the benefits of brushing regularly

Let us take a closer look at a few of the reasons that our general dentist recommends flossing the teeth at least once daily.

1. Protects against tooth decay

Flossing teeth gets rid of plaque build-up on them. Plaque is the sticky film that builds up in the mouth after meals. It creates a sticky feeling in the mouth in the morning or after a nap.

Plaque houses bacteria, and it hardens into tartar when left on teeth for a few days. At that point, teeth cleaning performed by a dentist is required to get rid of it. Tartar also contains bacteria and acids that break down teeth structures. Excess plaque build-up on teeth also leads to bad breath.

2. Stimulates gum tissues

Regularly flossing helps stimulate gum tissues, which in turn, keeps them healthy. It is not uncommon for the gums of a person who has not flossed in a while to bleed when they finally do floss. This is due to the gums not being stimulated for some time, so simple things like flossing irritate them.

3. Protects against gum disease

Flossing once daily helps protect against gum disease. It gives gum tissues the stimulation that they need to be healthy, and it removes bacteria around the gumline. Improving flossing habits can help reverse the first stage of gum disease.

Keeping the gumline clean reduces the risk of developing gum disease, a condition that has been linked with chronic health issues like respiratory diseases, heart disease, and diabetes.

Flossing is even more important for pregnant people because their risk of developing gum disease is higher. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists did a study that showed that pregnant people who floss at least once per day have a lower risk of lower birth weights and premature births.

4. Saves money in the long term

Dental floss does not cost much, yet it protects against tooth decay and gum disease when it is used for flossing done daily. Tooth decay and gum disease are two common reasons that people seek the services of a general dentist. Protecting teeth against these conditions reduces the odds of a person needing invasive treatments, like root canals or teeth replacement.

5. Freshens breath

Flossing teeth daily gets rid of any food particles stuck between teeth. Some of this debris can be lodged between teeth for weeks and start to decay. It can lead to unpleasant smells coming out of the mouth.

Make flossing part of your dental hygiene routine

Your oral hygiene routine is not complete until you floss your teeth. Give us a call or visit our Hackensack clinic for more oral hygiene tips.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilebeautification.com or call Rolando Cibischino D.M.D. at (201) 204-1355 for an appointment in our Hackensack office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Hackensack, NJ.

Recent Posts

General Dentistry Tips For Dealing With A Loose Tooth

A loose tooth is not something that anyone wants to deal with as an adult. Thankfully, general dentists are trained and equipped to know what to do when a patient experiences a loosened tooth. Adult teeth can become loose as a result of an infection in the oral cavity. More often than not, this is due…

A General Dentist Discusses Cavity Treatment

Your experienced general dentist can repair your cavities. Assessing your teeth will come first. Then, the dentist will discuss the treatment options with you. Knowing which option can help you the most can prepare you for the visit. Here are the details about the different cavity treatments that your general dentist can discuss with you.The…

How A General Dentistry Practitioner Screens For Cavities

General dentistry includes preventing and treating issues like cavities, which are tiny holes that form on teeth surfaces that have been damaged by the acids made by oral bacteria. Also known as caries, these openings continuously expand until they are treated or cause a total loss of the teeth.Tooth decay is the top reason that…

A General Dentist Can Save An Injured Tooth

Have you ever suffered from an injury that left your teeth in pain? How do you know if you have an injured tooth? How can it be fixed? An injured tooth doesn’t have to be the end of the world, even though there are some instances where it can be fatal. Keep your teeth healthy…

Recent Posts

The FAQs Of Dental Implant Requirements

The FAQs Of Dental Implant Requirements

Dental implants are a way to replace a missing tooth in a way that looks and feels close to natural. Dental implant surgery is a multistep process, and it is important to know what to expect before you get started. You should speak with your dentist about whether implants are a good fit for you.…

General Dentistry Tips For Dealing With A Loose Tooth

General Dentistry Tips For Dealing With A Loose Tooth

A loose tooth is not something that anyone wants to deal with as an adult. Thankfully, general dentists are trained and equipped to know what to do when a patient experiences a loosened tooth. Adult teeth can become loose as a result of an infection in the oral cavity. More often than not, this is due…