Don’t Forget to Floss

We all know how important it is to brush twice a day, but what about flossing? The dentist always encourages and recommends it, but the majority of people admit to skipping this step in their oral hygiene routine. Even if it means adding an extra 60 seconds to your bedtime process, these reasons explain why remembering to floss is so essential.

Eliminate 40 Percent of Plaque

Plaque is the sticky bacteria that forms on your teeth and ultimately generates the acid that causes cavities, irritates the gums, and leads to gum disease. Since each tooth has five exposed surfaces (four sides and the bottom), skipping flossing leaves two sides teeming with plaque. Thus, flossing does about 40 percent of the required work to completely clean your teeth.

Stay Young

Believe it or not, flossing is actually linked to maintaining good looks as you age. Neglecting to floss can trigger the onset of gum disease, which not only ruins the appearance of the gums and teeth but also attacks the bones that support the lower third of your face. Weak facial bones equate to an unwanted change in facial structure and appearance. People who floss regularly preserve the height of the facial bones and age like fine wine.

Limit the Damage

The plaque in between your teeth is actually more dangerous than the plaque on the front and back of your teeth. Your saliva, tongue, and other foods tend to remove a great deal of surface plaque, but the “in-between” bacteria can only be reached with floss. Which means that if you don’t floss, that in-between plaque is only removed once every six months when you visit the dentist!

Make it Easy

If the dreaded strings of floss are your excuse to avoid flossing, then invest in a flossing pick. These picks look like toothbrushes with a small floss pick at the end rather than bristles. You simply weave the pick in between each tooth. Flossing may not reap immediate rewards, but within a few days you’ll notice fresher breath thanks to the reduced amount of bacteria in your mouth.

Flossing is easy to skip, but hopefully you now understand why you should put your excuses on the back burner and take care of your mouth!