Philadelphia Dentist - The Importance Of Flossing Your Teeth

According to a study conducted by the American Dental Association in 2010, only 50.5 percent of Americans floss on a daily basis. Worse than that, however, is the fact that 18.5 percent of Americans admit to never flossing their teeth. This means that millions of Americans are neglecting their oral hygiene. Many dentists say that flossing is even more important than brushing your teeth if you want to prevent gum disease and tooth loss. If you are one of the millions of Americans who does not floss your teeth daily, you should contact your Philadelphia dentist and schedule an appointment as soon as possible to ensure that your oral health is on track. In the meantime, here are some interesting facts about the importance of flossing your teeth.

Some people neglect to floss because they do not understand the purpose of flossing. They assume flossing is designed to remove food from between the teeth, which is something they accomplish from brushing. This is erroneous thinking, however. In reality, flossing removed plaque from between the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that is covered in bacteria. If left untouched, plaque can result in tooth decay, and eventually tooth loss. Dental floss is a tool designed specifically to remove this harmful plaque from your mouth; a toothbrush alone will never be able to do the job. Some dentists recommend flossing your teeth before your brush to loosen the plaque. This will make brushing even more effective because the toothpaste will be able to reach more parts of your mouth. Ask your Philadelphia dentist for a recommendation on how and when to floss your teeth.

Other people do not floss because it hurts. Their gums become inflamed, and sometimes bleed, when they attempt to floss. This is a sign of gingivitis or gum disease. Brushing or flossing should never result in plain. If it does, contact your Philadelphia dentist and schedule an appointment immediately. Gum disease is caused by an accumulation of plaque in the mouth. Your dentist will help you remove the plaque and teach you how to better care for your oral hygiene.

Oral hygiene is not something to be neglected. Quality oral care involves brushing and flossing your teeth. It is recommended that you floss your teeth at least once a day for three to five minutes. If you do not have the time, even 60 seconds of flossing is better than nothing. By flossing your teeth you will be protecting yourself against tooth decay and a host of diseases. Call your Philadelphia dentist today for more information about the importance of brushing your teeth.

Call your Philadelphia dentist today for more information about the importance of brushing your teeth.