What Happens When You Don’t Floss?

When you’re going through your morning or nightly routine, flossing can feel like a nuisance because it takes a little extra time and can feel uncomfortable. You may even start to wonder if it’s worth the time or making a difference for your teeth.

Flossing is a crucial part of maintaining your overall oral health and a step that shouldn’t be skipped! It helps remove trapped food particles as well as plaque buildup in the places your toothbrush can’t reach.

To Floss or Not to Floss?

If you choose to remove flossing from your daily routine, it can have a negative impact on your dental health. Taking 1-2 minutes out of your day to floss can save you from a variety of dental problems in the future.

• Halitosis (Bad Breath)

Do you brush your teeth everyday but still suffer from bad breath? Neglecting to floss can leave leftover food particles behind that start to smell over time.

• Gum Disease

Flossing regularly keeps particles and bacteria away from your gums, which helps you ward off gum disease and other gum-related problems.

• Tooth Decay & Cavities

Leftover bacteria can cause tooth decay and cavities that weakens your tooth. If you get a cavity, you’ll need a filling which leads to extra time in the dental chair.

• Tartar

When plaque is left on your teeth for an extended period, it solidifies and turns into tartar. Tartar buildup is almost impossible to remove on your own.

• Yellowing Teeth

Plaque buildup and food debris can make your smile look yellow and aged. Flossing helps your smile appear whiter and cleaner.

Plan Your Next Dental Visit

Scheduling routine dental visits, brushing your teeth, and flossing can help your teeth and gums stay in tip-top shape. If you’re overdue for a dental checkup, need flossing tips, or have another dental need, contact our office. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy, happy smile!

Categorised in: Dental Hygiene, General Dental