How important is flossing in the health of your teeth? According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque. In fact, it can be even more important than brushing (and takes less time!) when it comes to preventing tooth loss, cavities, and periodontal gum disease.
Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease the chance of getting gum disease.
Most people cite lack of time as a reason for not flossing. However, the AGD says flossing even two or three times a week has its benefits and is far better than not flossing at all. So let’s get right down to it!
Here are 12 significant facts that make flossing essential!
- Flossing removes plaque between our teeth that our toothbrushes miss. This is something we all know, but did you know that when you don’t floss, food that sits between your teeth is actually rotting and can be a main cause for bad breath? Gross!
- It has been thought that flossing before brushing can help the fluoride from our toothpaste better reach between our teeth.
- In order to floss efficiently, you need to use a piece of floss that is 18 to 20 inches long.
- Improper and irregular flossing leads to bleeding gums.
- You should use a clean section of your floss to clean around each tooth. This will avoid transferring food and bacteria from one tooth to another.
- There are two main types of floss: monofilament (plastic/rubber type) and multifilament (nylon/silk floss).
- Both types of floss mentioned above come in flavors (and unflavored) such as mint, cinnamon, bubblegum and even bacon. Yes, bacon-flavored floss.
- Flossing saves you money. It plays an essential role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. An unhealthy mouth can lead to a number of ailments and diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
- Seventy-three percent of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss!
- Americans spend $2 billion a year on dental products – toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss.
- Men floss less than women do.
- Brushing your teeth without flossing is like only washing 70 percent of your body.