Four Reasons to Floss Every Day

Are you like the seven out of ten Americans who brush their teeth at least twice a day? Or do you make up that group of 30 percent that, well, doesn’t? Turns out, if you’re not very diligent about brushing, you’re probably not flossing either. The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes, twice daily, followed by flossing once a day, preferably at night before bed. Unfortunately, only four people out of ten floss at least once daily, and 20 percent never floss. And yet studies have shown a correlation between flossing daily and good oral health.

Need some solid reasons to keep up with your flossing routine every day to boost your dental hygiene in Studio City? Here are four:

1.        Prevent Tooth Decay

Failing to floss means food and bacteria are left between your teeth. This bacteria, called plaque, will morph into tartar over time, which is a thick build-up of white film that causes tooth decay. Flossing can dislodge food particles and keep bacteria from growing. Tooth decay can cause anything from cavities to tooth loss.

2.        Freshen Breath

All that left-over food and bacteria in your mouth that can’t be removed by your tooth brush will simply sit there and lead to bad breath. This is a big turn-off to anyone who gets close enough to talk to or kiss you. Don’t be that person with the nasty breath. Instead, floss every day to remove the odor-causing bacteria that causes foul breath. Isn’t it better to smell clean and fresh?

3.        Prevent Gum Disease

Yes, brushing your teeth every day can keep gum disease at bay, but a toothbrush can only do so much work. All that disease-causing bacteria is still stuck between your teeth, which can only be removed through flossing. Be sure to work the strands of floss deep into both sides of the gum to get out all traces of food particles and plaque.

4.        Save Money

Tooth decay isn’t cheap. When teeth begin to decay from bacteria, cavities form and need to be filled. If you don’t have insurance, this can cost you out-of-pocket every time, even if you choose the more affordable metal fillings. Even if you do have insurance, you’re still responsible for a portion of the total, as well as co-pays. And if tooth decay is not addressed early on, you could have to undergo root canals, dental implants, crowns and more. These costs can easily reach into the thousands of dollars. Floss every day to reduce your chances of encountering these problems.

Contact Studio City Dental

For these reasons and more, flossing your teeth regularly is vital to maintaining good oral health. We welcome you to call Studio City Dental today at 818-762-2977 for a full cleaning with flossing to get you back on track.