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4 Benefits To Regular Flossing

September 6, 2022

The importance of regular flossing in your dental hygiene cannot be overstated. If you don't floss between your teeth and along your gumline, plaque can build up between them and along your gumline. Over time, this can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. 


The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using interdental cleaners such as floss to remove plaque and debris from areas where a toothbrush cannot reach. In this blog post we'll outline 4 benefits to flossing regularly.


1. Gets Rid Of Plaque 

Around and between your teeth as well as along your gumline, plaque forms a colorless, sticky film. Plaque is hard to see but you shouldn't let plaque remain in your mouth for long. 


When starchy or sugary foods and drinks are combined with bacteria in your mouth, plaque forms on your teeth. Without brushing and flossing, bacteria, acids, and carbohydrates can mix together to form plaque on your teeth and around your gumline. 


Your tooth enamel can be damaged by acids released by bacteria in plaque. In the long run, cavities can develop as a result of not removing these acids with brushing and flossing. 


2. Reduces Bad Breath 

Halitosis, or bad breath, is a common problem. The best way to keep bad breath at bay is to floss. 


If you trap food between your teeth, it slowly decays and rots. Food particles can remain on your breath for long periods of time if they are not removed. 


Additionally, if plaque builds up around or between your teeth and erodes your enamel, it can lead to cavities and gum disease, which contribute to bad breath.


3. Whitens Your Smile

There are a lot of products out there that are designed to whiten your smile. From whitening strips to mouth trays covered in laser lights, you can spend a lot of time and money trying to get your teeth a shade or two whiter.



Before you dive into all of those products, however, why not try flossing? Plaque and tartar, as we mentioned earlier, have a yellow appearance and floss is a great way to reduce the plaque on your teeth. While some may find that their teeth are stained from coffee or tobacco use, many people will have success whitening their smile with a good routine of brushing and flossing.


4. Prevents Gum Disease

Having plaque and tartar on your teeth does more than make them look yellow. Your gums can also suffer some serious damage.


There can be a lot of acidity in plaque. The plaque causes inflammation and infection if you don't remove it twice a day. It is commonly referred to as periodontal disease or gum disease.

When gum disease reaches an advanced stage, it can cause tooth decay, root canals, and even tooth loss. Flossing is the easiest preventative measure anyone can take, but it causes far more pain and damage than anyone should have to endure.


Do you need to schedule your next dental appointment with the best Henderson dentist? Our team at Densley Dental is passionate about our patients, and we are here to serve the Henderson and Las Vegas communities. 


If you are interested in veneers, dental implants, invisalign in Henderson or just need a checkup, we're here for you. You can call the best Henderson dentist at (702) 212-6641 to book your appointment.