If you ever think to yourself "I wonder what dental tips a dentist in my area could give me" one of the tips would surely be to floss. Learn more.
Here's a fun fact for you! Flossing isn't just a thing your dentist tells you to do every 6 months. It's actually an important part of your daily health routine that
over 37% of Americans don't do every day!
It really is a shame that flossing isn't taken as seriously as it should be. It's such an easy task that can really do a lot for you. Let's talk about some of the important benefits of flossing from your local dentist in Mount Vernon, NY!
#1. Comfort
Remember, you aren't trying to please your dentist by flossing. Your motives
should be entirely selfish! Comfort just happens to be one of the biggest reasons you should be flossing!
We've all had food stuck between our teeth, and it isn't fun. Flossing limits the amount of time it spends there. The thing is, while it's recommended to floss once a day, you can do it more! Keep floss, floss picks, or toothpicks in your car, your backpack, or your pocket. You'll never have to deal with that discomfort again.
You'll also be able to walk around knowing that there's nothing sticking out between your teeth if you always have floss ready for you. Before going into an event, a job interview, or a date, you use some minty fresh floss to help keep your smile glowing!
#2. Helps With Brushing Effectively
Why isn't brushing enough for your oral care routine? Simple. It can't reach between your teeth.
However, sometimes food can, and then it can't come out on its own. If that food contains sugar or acid, it will only harm your teeth the longer it's in there. It will also be a hub for bacteria to grow, which will also lead to cavities.
Floss your teeth first, then brush. Sometimes the food that's stuck will poke out and actually block your toothbrush from getting to some of the harder-to-reach spots. Over time, those spots will start to decay, which will require additional dental procedures later on.
Once you've gotten rid of everything on and between your teeth, gargle some mouthwash to hit the spots you missed and you did your diligence for the night! Flossing is the start of a healthy routine to ensure you reach the maximum amount of spots in your mouth every time!
#3. Save You Money
Even if you go with the most expensive option and buy a $5 pack of floss picks every month or two at your local pharmacy, that's an absolute maximum of $60 a year, and that's if you floss after every meal.
If you don't floss and you let all the bacteria, food, sugar, and other buildup sit between your teeth every day, you could have 32 cavities that need to be filled, if you're lucky! Root canals and implants are a lot pricier, more invasive, and more painful! Be a big spender and buy a pack of floss at the Dollar Tree! You'll be glad you did!
Flossing, brushing, mouthwash, and
regular dental checkups all go a long way toward saving you a fortune in dental procedures. If you need 5 implants, you could easily be spending over $10,000.
#4. Protect Your Gums
Probably the most overlooked part of your mouth is the gums. We always think about our teeth and maybe our tongues, but our gums are very important. You do not want gingivitis or any
other gum diseases.
Putting floss between your teeth is great for your teeth, but it also prevents the buildup of bacteria from harming, swelling, or decaying your gums. You've probably seen what gum disease looks like. Do you want to see that in the mirror?
#5. Protect Your Overall Health
While diet and exercise get all the attention, oral health plays a big role in your overall health. Think about it. Everything that you eat and drink travels into your body through your mouth. Every time you swallow to alleviate a dry throat, whatever's in your mouth is being ingested into your body.
If you have plaque buildup or large amounts of bacteria between your teeth, that will ultimately contribute to other health conditions. This has a direct impact on important organs like your heart and your brain.
Oral health plays a big role in preventing your risk of cardiovascular diseases, as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer's. Don't make any compromises with your brain or heart health. It all starts with a proper routine, and a proper routine starts with flossing.
#6. It's Easy
The biggest benefit is that for the amount of satisfaction, comfort, and health benefits you get from flossing, it doesn't take as long as an exercise routine. 2 minutes of flossing is easy to add into your routine once a day, and you'll be so glad that you did! Also, you only have to do it once a day to get the benefit from it, even though more is encouraged.
However, just because it's an easy process doesn't mean that you can sacrifice proper form! Make sure you're using the
proper flossing technique to avoid any issues and make sure you're getting the most out of your efforts!
Visit Your Local Dentist In Mount Vernon, NY
On top of your regular flossing, brushing, and mouthwash routine, regular visits to your favorite dentist in Mount Vernon, NY is your best defense against several health conditions. Keep your smile shining bright, keep up to date with our latest dental news, and be sure to
request an appointment!
