Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing Michigan
We know we should floss at least once a day, but for many people, flossing does not rank highly on the priority list. And yet, multiple studies have found that approximately 20% of Americans do not floss at all. Today on the blog, Okemos’ favorite dentist Dr. Christine Tenaglia wants to explain the importance of flossing but also share some of the surprising health benefits from flossing every day.
Get the facts on flossing
Your toothbrush cannot reach into all those nooks and crannies between your teeth. That means that brushing will not remove any accumulated food particles, plaque and bacteria from the spaces between teeth. That’s where flossing comes in; by working floss between each pair of teeth, you clean away food particles and plaque and prevent the buildup of tartar.
Flossing equals preventive care
Flossing isn’t a magic cure. But it does help stop problems from developing in your mouth before they show obvious symptoms or start doing possibly serious damage to your oral wellness. At Tenaglia Smiles, we believe in the importance of being proactive. In other words, a healthy mouth helps prevent illness, keeps you eating properly, helps with self-esteem and allows you to be confident and proud in your appearance.
Flossing helps fight gum disease
When you floss regularly, you remove potentially harmful bacteria that have gathered below the gum line. This bacteria leads to the infection that causes periodontal disease. Otherwise known as gum disease, periodontal disease has no cure. It affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. Dr. Tenaglia and her team of oral health professionals can treat your gum disease in Okemos, but the infection, said treatment and the cost of that treatment all could have been avoided with daily flossing.
If not identified or treated, gum disease also can cause a variety of other serious health problems, including:
- Tooth loss
- Chronic bad breath
- Pain, usually in the gums or jaw
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Low birth weight and premature births for expecting mothers
Flossing prevents bad breath
Halitosis, which is the term used for chronic bad breath, can stem from certain foods and drinks you consume. In most cases, halitosis stems from an inadequate regimen of oral care. When you don’t floss, any food particles that fall between your teeth begin to break down and decay on their own; this breakdown often emits a foul-smelling odor. Flossing removes these food particles and harmful bacteria, helping freshen your breath and make your mouth cleaner.
Preventive dental care in Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing in Michigan
At Tenaglia Smiles, Dr Tenaglia can conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and mouth during any regularly scheduled check-up. A member of our team also can review the proper flossing technique during each of these cleaning appointments. Maybe it has been a while since you have been to the dentist? If so, now is the right time to get back on track. Schedule a consultation at Tenaglia Smiles today. Just call (517) 347-6733 or complete our online contact form.