You know brushing twice a day is important. But do you floss? And, no, twice a month doesn’t count. Here’s why you shouldn’t write off this essential step.

1. Plaque acts quickly.

Skipping a few days allows bacteria the perfect amount of time to solidify. Plaque starts to harden within hours of eating, and once 48 hours have passed, the cavity-causing substance will be firmly stuck to your teeth, best removed by a professional cleaning.

Flossing every 24 hours is just as important as brushing because it helps remove the plaque and debris that adhere to your teeth and gums. Flossing also helps polish the surfaces of your teeth and control bad breath.

2. Your gums will stop bleeding.

Don’t want to floss because it leaves the thread bloody? Although it may seem counterintuitive, flossing actually reduces the occurrence of bleeding gums. If you remove bacteria from the gum line, your body won’t send blood cells to the area to fight the infection. Happy gums and happy you!

3. The rest of your body will be healthier.

Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and even respiratory disease have all been linked to gum disease. By maintaining your gum health, you’ll help cut down your risk of these serious conditions — or improve your condition, if you’re already affected.

4. Your teeth will stay strong.

What’s worse than getting a cavity? Getting a cavity in between two teeth. Remove bacterial buildup in those hard-to-reach areas, and you’ll save yourself the pain of going under the drill.

5. Flossing is one of the keys to nice breath

Flossing removes tiny food particles that get trapped between your teeth, which harbor bacteria. If you don’t floss the food particles away, the bacteria break these particles down into acids, releasing smelly gases as a byproduct that you breath out onto other people.

Flossing is one of the four pillars of nice breath along with brushing, tongue scraping, and getting treatment for acid reflux / GERD if you have that condition.

Article provided by Delta Dental

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