Oral hygiene is a marathon, not a sprint, which is why you might hear an oral surgeon in Mission Viejo Ca ask patients about their brushing habits. The oral care routines that we set for ourselves early on can make a huge difference in the progression of our mouth health.

When over fifty percent of Americans don’t routinely floss and twenty percent of Americans don’t floss at all, proper teeth cleaning has become a widespread issue in our society. Flossing may seem like a hassle to some people, but the truth is that it offers so many benefits for overall health. All it takes is a little consistency.  

When you floss, you are triggering your body’s natural response to heal and cleanse. Many people experience gum swelling, soreness, or bleeding when flossing their teeth because they have not practiced this habit enough in the past. The gum inflammation process allows the body to flush out bacteria, plaque, and food in the mouth. So, teeth flossing is actually a method by which we actively stimulate gum inflammation. Fortunately, our gums will strengthen over time and, with consistent and thorough cleansing habits, will react less severely to flossing. 

According to an oral surgeon in Mission Viejo Ca, healthy gums and healthy teeth rely on good, consistent flossing. There are so many ways that this little habit can positively impact your oral health. Here are some of the reasons why you should try to floss every day: 

• Flossing gets to the hard to reach places. Our teeth have five surfaces where bacteria and plaque can build up: the front, the back, the two sides, and the bottom. When you floss, you are targeting the two sides, which is 40% of the cleaning. If you neglect to target these areas of the mouth, then you risk developing cavities, tooth decay, swollen gums, and even gum disease. 
• Flossing helps your overall health. Oral health is very critical to your overall health. When you maintain mouth hygiene practices, you reduce your risk of developing heart disease, respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and stroke. All of these conditions have been linked to dental problems such as periodontitis. 
• Flossing prevents gingivitis. Sensitive gums as a result of poor oral hygiene is a condition that dentists call gingivitis. It is an early form of gum disease that, if left untreated, can cause serious problems.
• Flossing is cheap and effective. Dental floss is one of the most cost-effective tools that you can use to promote oral health in addition to normal brushing habits. It’s simple and requires very little thought once you get into the habit. 
• Flossing will improve your smile. If you want whiter teeth and better breath, then flossing is something that you should take up on a regular basis. Cleaner teeth can be achieved with just a few extra seconds in your day.

So, now that you know why flossing is so important, you probably want to learn how you can incorporate it into your daily brushing routine. Really, it’s something that you can do at any time of the day, although many patients prefer to do it before or after brushing their teeth. Some dentists recommend getting into the habit of flossing in the shower or when you sit down after dinner to watch TV. As long as you are incorporating flossing into some part of your day, then you will achieve a healthier mouth over time. 

As always, you should continue to visit your dentist in Laguna Niguel for yearly checkups and to have a more thorough cleaning in addition to your brushing routine in order to promote the best possible oral health. If you need dental implants in Orange County or any other dental procedure, then you should schedule an appointment with your oral care professional and see what treatments will protect your teeth for the long-term.