If you are like many people, you probably find it hard to commit to a regular flossing routine. However, flossing your teeth is as important as brushing itself. Not flossing your teeth at least once every day can increase your risk of developing oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Every time you visit a Fairfield, ME dental office, you always get advice about the importance of daily tooth brushing and flossing. Your dentist will emphasize that bacteria from food can cause the formation of cavities between your teeth and inside gum pockets. Regular flossing and professional dental cleanings can effectively eliminate these bacteria.
Gum Disease Complications
Letting bacteria buildup between teeth and gum pockets leads to inflammation known as periodontitis, which can damage mouth soft tissue and destroy your jawbone. When gum disease advances, you can experience different complications, such as bone loss and tooth loss. And when the bacteria reach your bloodstream, they can impact major body organs such as your heart and lungs.
Consequences of Not Flossing Your Teeth
When you do not commit to flossing your teeth every day, here’s what might happen:
- Plaque accumulates on your teeth. Whenever you eat, food particles can stick between your teeth. When you do not floss your teeth, dental plaques will form. When left unremoved, plaque can turn into tartar, which not only looks unsightly but also causes dental cavities.
- Bad breath. Whenever you brush your teeth, your brush bristles don’t move down between your teeth. But flossing will eliminate the bacteria, food particles, and plaque between your teeth. So, when you don’t floss, you leave the foul-smelling food particles inside your mouth.
- Tooth loss. If you do not floss your teeth regularly, you can experience gum disease and have weak teeth structures. Early treatment can reverse gum disease, but irreversible damage can happen when you ignore your symptoms. As gum disease robs your teeth of necessary support, your teeth will eventually fall off.
- Teeth discoloration. To maintain white, bright teeth, you must brush and floss your teeth regularly. Otherwise, plaque remains on your teeth for a long time, causing discoloration. And the aesthetic issue becomes worse when the plaque turns into tartar.
- Compromised look. If you do not floss regularly, your smile can be compromised. Flossing gets food particles trapped between your teeth. When not removed right away by flossing your teeth, you can suffer from tooth decay, which may cause your teeth to shift.