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One overlooked aspect of oral care is often flossing. Many consider flossing redundant because they brush twice a day; however, this could not be further from the truth. Flossing plays an essential role in keeping our teeth both healthy and strong and can prevent cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. In this article, we will explore further the benefits of flossing and its effect on your teeth.

The importance of flossing daily

You should begin incorporating flossing into your regular dental hygiene routine from the age of 12. Flossing aids the removal of stains on the teeth by removing deposits of plaque and tartar that have built up over time. Through flossing daily, you also reduce the chances that you will need dentures later on in life, as it strengthens your teeth whilst also making them look whiter due to the removal of plaque.

A common reason for avoiding flossing is because many people find the process painful and uncomfortable. However, there are many different and varying floss products, making the experience easy and painless.

There are also specialised flossing problems to accommodate people with specific dental requirements. For example, there are floss ‘sticks’ developed precisely for this purpose for people who wear braces or dentures. These have a stiff plastic handle, making it much easier to reach and floss between the main wire of the brace, allowing for a deeper and more thorough clean.

You should teach your children the benefits of flossing at an early age and allow them to begin flossing at a later age, as younger children might be more sensitive to flossing and experience pain when doing so.

Flossing can whiten your teeth

Whitening floss is just one of the many floss variants now available to assist you with dental care. Due to the increasing popularity of teeth whitening products, many dental brands have capitalised on this trend and have released many new whitening products, such as floss, toothpaste and mouthwash.

Whitening floss is either developed with a coat of microscopic silica products or is treated with calcium peroxide to assist in the breaking down of proteins that are left on the teeth, which cause decolourisation.

Whilst these are new and ingenious ways to whiten your teeth, the main way flossing will improve the overall appearance of your teeth is by removing excess food particles and bacteria-rich plaque. Your teeth will begin looking a lot healthier through flossing, as this also helps maintain healthy gums too.

Flossing fights off bad breath

Suppose you are looking for more reasons to floss regularly. In that case, those who suffer from bad breath can find a solution in flossing as it fights off bad breath by removing the tiny excess food particles in between your teeth, which could otherwise stick and collect bacteria causing bad breath to develop.

Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine through regular brushing and flossing will help fight off bad breath, although if the problem persists, it may be time to consult your dentist about the issue for further help.

Flossing and health

We know that good oral hygiene can fight off cavities, gum disease or tooth decay. But brushing and flossing regularly not only helps keep your teeth and gums healthy but also plays a significant role in your overall health too.

Flossing regularly means that you can regularly examine your mouth for any abnormalities, such as swelling or sensitive areas. In addition, conditions such as cancer or AIDS can lead to lesions within the mouth, which are easily detectable when brushing or flossing.

It is never too late to reap the benefits of flossing, and the sooner you implement it within your daily routine, the more beneficial the effects will be. If you are looking for more dental information, contact the expert and friendly team at your nearest Ascent Dental Care practice today (located in Loughborough, Solihull, Malvern and Tamworth).