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How Important Is Flossing?

The old dental quip, “Only floss the teeth you want to keep,” is based in truth. Flossing is crucial to protecting your teeth because it can remove food particles and bacterial plaque from areas that your toothbrush cannot reach.

If bacteria are allowed safe harborage in your mouth, their colonies will grow. They will attack your teeth in areas that are hard to see and create cavities that are very difficult to fill. The bacteria will not only attack your teeth, they will attack your gums, leading to gum disease. The bacteria create pockets around your teeth to increase their safe havens below your gumline. As these pockets deepen, the bacteria will grow, eventually attacking your bone. Ironically, part of your body’s immune response also leads to a loss of bone material, creating a mutually reinforcing process that eventually causes tooth loss.

Along the way to tooth loss, you will experience bad breath, inflammation, and pain. Bacteria will also sometimes use your gums as an entry point to your bloodstream, where they can cause injury to your heart and liver.

In other words, flossing is crucial to protecting your oral and general health. To learn more about the importance of good oral hygiene, please contact Miami Designer Smiles today to talk to a cosmetic dentist.