Is Flossing Really Necessary?

Senior man flossing teeth on color backgroundIt goes without saying that you play a major role in your smile’s health, as the care you provide is its main line of defense. Indeed, the presence of enamel is beneficial when it comes to keeping your teeth safe, but there is not much else that protects the various other aspects of your oral cavity, including your gums, cheeks, tongue, and other structures and tissues. In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX dentist discusses why flossing is a necessary part of your preventive dental routine, and how consistent care can lower your chances of developing gum disease and infection.

Components of Oral Health

Nothing is more trying on the nerves than sitting down to enjoy your favorite meal just to get something stuck in-between your teeth. Though it may work its way out on its own, many times it requires you to pick at it and use an alternative method to get it out. What’s worse, however, is if you are completely oblivious to the food particle and you go around sporting a noticeable item in your smile. How embarrassing!

Though you may think flossing is only convenient for times such as these, the truth of the matter is that it is a necessary part of your preventive dental routine. Indeed, brushing your teeth may be the foundation of at-home care, but that does not mean that flossing, using mouthwash, and other practices should be left in the backseat.

As a matter of fact, flossing helps to deter oral bacteria from setting up camp beneath your gum line and can even lower your chances of developing serious gum infections down the line. For more information about this process, give our team a call today.

Prioritizing Gum Care

Your dentist recommends flossing after every meal to remove stuck food particles, as well as ensure your teeth and gums are cleaned and protected. The reason for this is due to the fact that oral bacteria thrive by feeding off of these particles, and if they are stuck between structures, they are then drawn to the area.

What’s more? While they feed, bacteria produce a destructive acid that leads to tooth decay, and these acids can seep beneath the gum line and onto your sensitive tooth roots. Once plaque and tartar begin to form, it is only a hop skip and a jump before you begin to experience the early stages of gum disease.

Alternative Options

In cases where gum infection has already begun to set in, your dentist may recommend the help of alternative treatment. This is often in the form of scaling and root planing, which involves removing plaque deposits beneath the gum line.

Learn More Today

Taking care of your smile means flossing after meals, and it is important you don’t skip this step. Contact The Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX by calling 936-441-4600 to learn more and schedule your next appointment with us today.