All of us are aware of the benefits of brushing our teeth regularly. Brushing your teeth once in the morning and once at night freshens our breath and keeps cavities at bay. While Brushing is good, it doesn’t provide the cleansing that we need. This is where flossing comes in. Unfortunately, not many of us floss our teeth. In the following paragraphs, we will take a look at the benefits of regular flossing and why it is important for your oral health.
Let’s break it down.
1. Flossing Prevents Gum Recession
One of the benefits of regular flossing is the prevention of gum recession. When the tarter on your gums is allowed to stay, it weakens your gums, and therefore, they start to recede. When that happens, your teeth become more exposed and sensitive. This added exposure will also increase the gap between your teeth, allowing food particles to get stuck in between. These food particles make your teeth look filthy, but they also increase the likelihood of tooth decay.
2. Flossing Freshens Breath
It is a no-brainer that good oral hygiene leads to fresh breath. Having a fresh and pleasant breath is necessary for two reasons. First of all, it will help you appear more presentable, and secondly, you will feel good about yourself, which will enhance your confidence and self-esteem. With cleaner teeth and fresher breath, you won’t have to worry about embarrassing yourself in public.
3. It Helps Prevent Gum Inflammation
Every morning we wake up with an unpleasant buildup within our mouth. This layer of bacteria that builds up in our mouth is known as plaque. The combination of tarter and plaque under the gums can lead to more significant problems, such as gingivitis. If this condition is left untreated, it can pave the way for periodontal diseases.
4. Flossing Makes Your Immune System Stronger
Up until now, we have only discussed some of the most obvious benefits of regular flossing. There are several other benefits of flossing that we don’t know about. You may not know that the bacteria in your gums can quickly end up in the gut and make you sick. By flossing your teeth regularly, you get rid of these germs, thus increasing your immunity. When you have a strengthened immune system, you get to prevent several diseases and infections from getting to you.
5. Flossing Makes You Less Obese
Another interesting benefit of regular flossing is the fact that it makes us less obese. That’s right; flossing keeps you slim and well in shape. In a study that was carried out a few years ago, it was found that poor oral health often leads to obesity. So, if you want to stay fit an, start flossing your teeth regularly.
6. It Minimizes the Risk of Stroke
You may not know this, but your oral hygiene can have a profound impact on your heart health. The cleaner your mouth is, the better it will be for your cardiovascular health. Therefore, if you have poor oral health, your chances of having strokes tend to increase considerably. If you want to have a healthier heart, you should start flossing your teeth regularly.
7. It Helps You Save Money
Interestingly, the benefits of regular flossing aren’t just confined to better oral health and reduced obesity. There is a monetary aspect to it as well, and most of us don’t take the time to acknowledge it. Dental procedures are exceptionally advanced and can prevent serious dental problems. The only problem is that these procedures are costly. By flossing your teeth after brushing them, you keep your teeth and gums clean, thus preventing expensive dental procedures.
8. Flossing Helps With Arthritis
Not long ago, a study was published in the Journal of Periodontology. According to that study, people with gum disease had a higher likelihood of developing arthritis. According to that study, people with arthritis had high chances of developing gum diseases. As of now, not many medical experts are aware of the connection between the two, but there is some resemblance in the inflammation they both cause. It is only a matter of time before we can conclusively deduce the connection. However, by flossing your teeth regularly, you can minimize the likelihood of developing arthritis.
9. It Helps Us Manage Blood Sugar
People with gum problems also have an issue managing their blood sugar. Similarly, people with diabetes also have problems with their gums. If you are a diabetic individual, blood sugar can affect your entire body, including your teeth and gums. Furthermore, studies on this topic have found that people who brush and floss their teeth regularly find it easier to manage their blood sugar.
How to Floss Your Teeth
Up until now, we have talked about the benefits of regular flossing. Now, let’s shift gears, and unveil some of the tips which will teach you how to floss your teeth.
- Ensure that the length of your dental floss string shouldn’t be less than 18 inches.
- One end should be tied to the middle finger of one hand, while the other end should be fastened to the middle finger of the other hand.
- Now grab the floss tightly between the thumb and the index fingers.
- Gently move the floss between the teeth, but don’t be too harsh, or you will hurt yourself.
Final Few Words
In this article, we spoke about the benefits of flossing, and we also gave you tips on how to floss your teeth. Remember, flossing is useful for several different reasons. It makes your smile brighter and makes you feel confident about yourself. It helps prevent expensive dental procedures, thus saving you a lot of money. Furthermore, it helps you fight against illnesses like arthritis and diabetes. For more information on dental health, get in touch with your dentist today!