Why brushing and flossing is important

Lastly, your smile can last a lifetime if you give it proper care. Healthy oral hygiene habits give you the surest opportunity to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.

Make sure that you follow our reasons why flossing is important to develop an oral care program that fits your needs. We want to help you dazzle the world with your most beautiful smile. Share Article:. Invisalign vs.

Those In-Between Teeth Spaces Have you ever thought about how much gunk ends up resting between your teeth after you eat? Improve Appearance Do you want to keep a welcoming smile for years into the future? Prevents gum disease According to the American Academy of Periodontology, plaque on your teeth can lead to gum disease.

Flossing helps you to avoid problems such as bleeding gums receding gums tooth and bone loss. Reduce your chance of developing heart disease One of the insidious dangers of gum disease is that it appears to play a part in the development of heart disease. Freshen your breath You know how a mouth filled with fresh smelling breath makes you feel ready to greet the world each morning? Make the following steps part of your oral health program.

Brush The foundation of any teeth cleaning plan rests on effective brushing. Floss Recent studies recommend flossing before brushing at least once per day. Swish Consider adding a mild mouthwash to your daily cleaning routine. Orthodontic tips- Do you wear braces? Healthy diet The American Dental Association stresses the vital part that nutrition plays in keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top shape. Trust us; your smile depends on sticking to healthy oral health habits.

We brush and floss our teeth to keep plaque, tartar, and bacteria at bay. Brushing removes plaque before it calcifies into tartar. Flossing removes food debris and plaque from in between the teeth, areas that the bristles of a toothbrush cannot penetrate. Brushing and flossing is a vital part of preventing tooth decay and gum disease, especially for children. Proper Brushing Technique When brushing and flossing, it is important to remind yourself why you are doing it: to remove plaque and bacteria.

Tilt the brush at a degree angle while brushing, and be sure to get every surface of the tooth. The goal is to clean the inner, outer, and occlusal surfaces of your teeth.

You should be spending at least two minutes brushing your teeth, every time. Most people fall short of this goal as two minutes may seem much longer while brushing. It may be helpful to use a timer or stopwatch. This is a tip that often goes ignored. Aggressive or overbrushing can damage the outer layer of the tooth, known as enamel. Failure to remove plaque from these areas can cause gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis.

To take full advantage of the benefits of flossing, you need to first learn the correct way to floss. You should cover about half the diameter of the tooth from each angle. While brushing and flossing may sound simple, a study suggested that most people significantly neglect brushing oral surfaces and use floss insufficiently.

Regular flossing can also help limit the development of cavities, but you must make it a habit. According to a study , proper dental flossing relies greatly on self-monitoring and its correct use.

Not only can proper oral hygiene help keep your breath fresh and your teeth and gums healthy, it may also help prevent periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, in turn, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Because of this, practicing good oral hygiene may help keep more than just your mouth healthy. Next time you reach for your toothbrush , remember to reach for your floss as well.

The simple habit of flossing at least once a day may improve not only your smile, but your overall health, too. There are many daily ways you can protect your teeth.

Healthy gums are key to maintaining a healthy mouth. But what are the best ways to keep your gums healthy, besides brushing and flossing?