You’ve probably been told many times throughout your life that you should floss every day as well as brushing your teeth twice a day. But, still, lots of people forget about flossing or decide not to do it because they don’t feel like it, they don’t think it’s important, or they even find it painful.

So, how important is flossing, really? Is it something you can leave out of your oral health routine or is it just as essential as brushing? Read on to find out more about the importance of flossing.

The benefits of flossing

Flossing offers a number of benefits for your oral health and cosmetic appearance. Flossing regularly helps to remove plaque and prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria in between your teeth; the places that brushing won’t reach. This can prevent the development of tartar between your teeth. If you’ve recently started flossing and have experienced some pain, this could be due to the built-up plaque and tartar. Keep up the habit and it should become more comfortable.

Cleaning all this bad stuff out from between your teeth helps to prevent a number of unwanted conditions, including cavities and gum disease. And, on a less serious note, flossing will also make your breath fresher by removing all that plaque and bacteria. So, consider adding flossing to your routine if you suffer from bad breath. Flossing can also help to keep your teeth whiter and prevent them from becoming off-colored as a result of plaque and bacteria.

Is brushing enough?

Brushing and flossing go hand-in-hand together. Brushing helps to remove the plaque and bacteria from the front and back of your teeth while flossing tackles the bacteria in between your teeth and around the gums. When done together, your teeth and gums are nice and plaque-free.

While most people think that brushing alone is enough, some experts will warn you that flossing is actually more important than brushing. This is because those small gaps in between your teeth are where the most harmful bacteria grow, which can lead to gum disease and other oral health problems when left to grow.

So, if you want to keep your pearly whites white and keep your mouth clean and healthy, start flossing once a day in addition to brushing twice a day. If you’re due a dental check-up or are having any oral health or hygiene problems, then contact Advance Family Dentists to book a dental appointment in Advance, NC.