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At Lockwood Family Dental, our team strongly encourages daily flossing—but have you ever wondered why it’s so crucial? Flossing is key to maintaining top-tier oral health and can benefit you in more ways than you might realize. When you skip flossing, it doesn’t just affect your daily routine; it can seriously impact your smile and overall oral health. Here are some compelling reasons why forgetting to floss can lead to bigger problems:
Neglected Flossing Risks
Increased Risk of Cavities:
Failing to floss leaves your teeth vulnerable to decay. Food particles, plaque, and bacteria can easily lodge between your teeth, creating the perfect environment for cavities to form. Once these harmful substances attack the tooth enamel, they can create cavities that damage multiple layers of the tooth, potentially infecting the nerve, and pulp, and even leading to the need for root canal treatment.
Gum Disease Dangers:
Plaque buildup along the gumline is a direct result of neglecting to floss. Over time, plaque can irritate and infect your gums, causing swelling, bleeding, and eventually leading to gum disease. If left untreated, plaque hardens into tartar, which can cause gums to recede and even lead to tooth loss. Daily flossing helps you remove plaque before it hardens and protects your gums from serious infection.
Whole-Body Health Risks:
Ignoring gum disease doesn’t just affect your mouth—it can have serious repercussions for your entire body. Untreated gum disease has been linked to health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, respiratory disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Flossing daily can help reduce the risk of these systemic issues.
How To Floss
To floss correctly and protect your oral health, follow these simple tips:
– Use about 16-18 inches of floss, winding most of it around your middle fingers.
– Gently slide the floss between your teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Be sure to avoid snapping the floss onto your gums.
– Curve the floss around each tooth and gently clean along the gumline.
– Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth.
– Keep travel floss picks handy for on-the-go cleaning to remove food particles throughout the day.
By incorporating proper flossing into your routine, you not only improve your oral health but also avoid costly dental treatments. Should you ever need treatment, our team at Lockwood Family Dental is here to provide cost-effective solutions.
Flossing daily, at least once a day is essential for maintaining the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. For more information about how flossing can improve your oral health, feel free to reach out to the experts at Lockwood Family Dental. We are happy to provide answers and guidance to help you and your family enjoy optimal oral health.
