Flossing is a frequently skipped step of a home oral health routine, yet flossing every day can help prevent serious health conditions such as severe gum disease. While you may not enjoy having to floss every day, there are many reasons why so many dentists urge patients to do it at least once a day. Dr. Sarah Cook is a Chapel Hill, NC that wants herpatients to know the importance of maintaining good oral health. You can contact her office by calling (919) 551-8847 or scheduling an appointment online. Learn about the benefits of flossing below.

Flossing Removes Cavity-Causing Bacteria

There are over 500 different species of microscopic bacteria that live in your mouth. Some bacteria can cause cavities if not removed. These bacteria that live in between your teeth can eat at the plaque that can build up between meals, which puts your oral health and overall health at risk.

Flossing Combats Halitosis

When bacteria are allowed to flourish in the mouth, the acids they produce cause halitosis, also known as bad breath. Removing the bacteria and leftover food particles will preserve gum health while also preventing bad breath.

Flossing Removes Plaque

While brushing your teeth is vital to your oral health, nearly half of the plaque in your mouth cannot be removed by brushing alone. Around 40% of plaque is actually hiding between teeth and cannot be reached with a toothbrush. Flossing, or some other form of interdental cleaning, is necessary to remove plaque from between teeth.

Flossing Reduces the Risk of Gum Disease

Bacteria not only eats away at tooth enamel but can also irritate and inflame your gum tissue. What starts out as just a little bleeding can eventually lead to severe decay, loose teeth, or even lost teeth. Regularly removing plaque from between teeth is an important step in keeping gum disease from progressing. The best way to prevent gum disease is by maintaining a routine of daily brushing and flossing.