Yes - you need to floss!

Allergic to flossing? We feel you! While flossing can be boring, it is one of those habits that only takes a few minutes every day but has a huge impact on our oral health. That’s why we’re here to remind you of the importance of flossing for a healthy mouth, flossing should always be on your daily to-do list.

Here are the top 4 reasons why you should floss.

 1. Keep decay at bay.
No matter how well you brush your teeth, bacteria and microorganisms get trapped in between them. Flossing helps to remove food from these areas and prevent bacteria from building an army in your mouth. Regular flossing also disrupts the bacteria from turning into plaque, the yellowish substance that stains and damages your teeth over time.
 
2. Banish bad breath.
The reason that floss smells after using it is because the area is hard to reach and the bacteria is aged. Flossing helps remove that smelly odour from your mouth while keeping your breath fresh and teeth free from unsightly food!

 3. Protect your gums.
Gum disease is caused by bacteria found in plaque and tartar. By flossing regularly and removing plaque from between your teeth and the gum line you are also reducing your chance of gum disease called gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated this can progress to a more serious disease called periodontal disease. Signs of periodontal disease include red, swollen, tender and bleeding gums. Gums that have receded, loose teeth that are drifting apart and gaps appearing between the teeth. If you have any of these signs or symptoms then please call your dentist today. 
 
4. Cut down on dental costs.
Flossing should also be part of your daily dental routine in order to avoid a host of possible problems in the future, saving you dollars down the track. Existing treatments like crowns and fillings also last longer when they are cleaned well.
 
To ensure a healthy smile we recommend that you floss once a day, with the best time being in the evenings after you brush to remove any food and plaque. When you first start flossing, your gums may be tender and bleed a little. However, the more you floss the more they will get used to it and the healthier your gums will become.
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So make flossing a daily habit, and next time you go to your dentist and they ask how regularly you floss, you can answer truthfully and say, “everyday”!