Is Flossing Really Necessary?

The idea of flossing your teeth has been around for over two hundred years. In 1815 a dentist on New Orleans is credited for the invention of the simple act of flossing. The doctor began advising his patients to use a thin silk thread to clean between their teeth.

Benefits of Flossing

There are many benefits of flossing. It reduces the risk for cavities, Gingivitis, and bad breath. Flossing also helps to dislodge food particles from between the teeth that brushing can’t reach. Additionally, it removes plaque that builds up on your teeth over time and prevents tooth decay.

While you can get away without flossing for a while without any serious consequences, it is important to remember that plaque buildup will eventually lead to dental issues if left untreated.

The American Dental Association recommends that people brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and use dental floss once per day to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

People who have braces should also floss because they cannot brush their teeth as well as they could before they had braces put on them. Braces can make it difficult for people to clean their teeth properly with just a toothbrush alone because food gets stuck in between the wires and can be hard for people with braces to reach all of the surfaces of their mouth with just a toothbrush alone.

Is Brushing Your Teeth the Same as Flossing?

Brushing your teeth and flossing are not the same. Flossing is the process of using a piece of string or dental floss to clean out the space between your teeth. It’s important because it removes pieces of food and plaque that you can’t get to with a toothbrush alone.

Brushing your teeth, on the other hand, removes bacteria from your teeth and gums. It also helps prevent tooth decay by removing leftover food particles from your mouth. Flossing can dislodge other food particles that brushing alone cannot achieve.

So, while brushing your teeth is not the same as flossing, it does help keep your mouth healthy, so you should be both brushing and flossing daily.

Does Flossing Helps Prevent Gum Disease?

There are many myths about flossing and there are some people who think that it is not necessary to do it. There is no scientific evidence that shows that flossing prevents gum disease. Gum disease is caused by bacteria, and it doesn’t matter if you have a healthy mouth or not, if your immune system is compromised, then you are more susceptible to developing gum disease. Flossing is still an important part of a healthy oral hygiene routine.

If you are worried about gum disease, have your dentist examine your teeth and gums.