Flossing. We know it’s something we should do daily, but
most people aren’t quite sure why. You may think that brushing your teeth twice
a day and using Listerine is enough. But what you might not realize is that
neither of those methods can reach the bacteria growing in the tight spaces between
your teeth. The benefits of flossing go beyond just keeping your teeth clean
and shiny. Our team at Access Dental can remove buildup between your teeth for you, but every six
months is not often enough to prevent the bacteria from harming you.
There are several negative side effects, and even very
serious health conditions, that can develop from not flossing. Read on to find
out what you may be risking by sticking to your current routine. If you have
any questions about flossing or your oral health in general, contact our Southern Missouri dentist
and we’ll take care of you!
Bad Breath and Yellow Teeth
Have you noticed that, no matter how much you brush your
teeth and use mouthwash, your breath still has an unpleasant odor? This could
be a result of bacteria stuck between your teeth that a regular toothbrush
can’t reach. These bacteria will continue to grow and cause even worse breath. Flossing
removes these pesky pathogens and can help prevent bad breath.
You may also have trouble keeping your teeth looking clean
and sparkly. The front of your teeth may be perfectly white, but if you aren’t
taking care of the edges by flossing, your overall smile will look less bright.
Plaque buildup between your teeth makes this effect even worse, and you could
end up trying to hide your smile that now seems yellowed and dull.
Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
The longer that food and the resulting bacteria sit between
your teeth, the more damage they can do. They weaken tooth enamel and can
eventually cause the affected tooth to decay, develop cavities, and possibly
even fall out!
These same bacteria sitting on your gums makes for a very
unhappy mouth. As your body tries to fight the bacteria, it sends additional
blood to the area. This is what causes gum inflammation and bleeding that we
refer to as gingivitis. Gingivitis is considered a minor version of gum
disease! As it progresses, the gums get more infected and can start to affect
your overall health.
Pneumonia
One of the ways oral bacteria can negatively affect your
health is by causing lung infections. You can inhale bacteria as a result of
the buildup in your mouth. These bacteria travel through your system and lodge
in your lungs, causing respiratory issues including pneumonia.
Heart Disease
Another serious consequence of unattended oral bacteria is heart
disease. As the bacterial infection spreads and enters your bloodstream,
bacterial plaques can start building up on the valves in your heart. The extra
burden on your heart, in addition to the infection, can lead to heart attack
and even stroke.
Alzheimer’s
A recent study published in Science Advances (1 Jan 2019, https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau3333. Accessed 9 Sept 2019.) found
that there may be a correlation between Alzheimer’s and insufficient oral
hygiene. In studying Alzheimer patients, researchers discovered that numerous
patients had a pathogen in their brains that has been linked to gum disease.
Floss Daily for Better Health
Thoroughly cleaning your teeth isn’t just about having a
bright smile and fresh breath – even though those are great perks! Proper care
reduces harmful bacteria and inhibits the spread of infection from your mouth
to other areas of your body, including your lungs, heart, and brain. Flossing
is an important habit that should be part of your daily routine. If you are
unsure how to properly floss, our caring experts at Access Dental would be happy to show you.
Give us a call today and schedule an appointment with the best dentist near Springfield Missouri!
We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!
1-877-DENTIST
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