Many people don’t realize how important flossing is. For example, if you are only brushing your teeth instead of flossing, you are only cleaning about 60% of your teeth. Although flossing has the same purpose as brushing, flossing can help get to places that your toothbrush is unable to reach. Flossing can help to eliminate the bacteria which can lead to bad breath, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. To help prevent dental and gum problems you should floss at least once a day.
If you do not floss, and allow plaque to remain in between teeth, it eventually hardens into a tartar. Unlike plaque which can be easily removed by brushing, tartar can only be removed by your dentist.
Over time, more dangerous types of bacteria can build up within tartar. These bacteria produce toxins which irritate and inflame the gums. This condition is known as gingivitis.
If you haven’t flossed in a while, you may see a little red tinge of blood on the floss after you use it. This indicates that your gums are slightly inflamed and vastly in need of flossing to remove bacteria. With a regular regimen of flossing this red tinge should go away.
By brushing and flossing we help to eliminate the bacteria which can lead to bad breath, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.