The act of flossing your teeth is always a sore subject when you sit down in the dentist office. The dentist tells you that it’s important to floss, you nod your head and then you leave and forget what was said until six months later. So what are the benefits of flossing your teeth? 

THE 5 BENEFITS OF FLOSSING

1. Flossing Saves You from Embarrassment
   

   Let’s be honest, no one wants to experience an embarrassing moment. The last thing you want is for your friend or even worse, an acquaintance, to stop you mid-sentence and tell you that you have something stuck between your teeth. That moment can by horrifying. With some quick flossing though, you can prevent embarrassing moments and ensure your smile is clear.

2. Flossing Reduces Plaque
   

   Your mouth is a cave of bacteria from constant eating and drinking. The build-up of bacteria on your teeth forms a film, which is known as plaque. This plaque is the cause of many problems including gingivitis and tooth decay.

   Flossing actually removes the plaque that was not removed during brushing and thus reduces the amount of bacteria in your mouth. A study done by the Department of Research in Biomedicine and Health at the University of Split School of Medicineeven found that there is a small reduction of plaque overall after a month of flossing.

3. You Can Reduce the Risk of Gingivitis with Interdental Cleaning

   The benefits of interdental cleaning, better known as flossing, have been called into question over the years. The study done by University of Split School of Medicine however, concluded that flossing does reduce the risk of gingivitis when paired with brushing. If you are at increased risk for gingivitis due to genetics, habits, or age flossing can help reduce your chance.

4. Flossing Lessens the Chance for Tooth Decay

   Since flossing removes bacteria-filled plaque from your teeth, it reduces the chance for the bacteria to have an acidic reaction to sugar. The acidic reactions are known as tooth decay, which eventually leads to cavities. By flossing, you remove the plaque and lessen your chance to develop cavities. A study done by the University of Washington found that flossing could reduce the risk for tooth decay by up to 40 percent.

5. Interdental Cleaning Could Save You Money

   In a system where we only worry about a problem after it becomes one, preventative care is not usually taken seriously. Flossing on a regular basis however, can help prevent you from having to get costly fillings and treatments by preventing problems before they can occur. A few minutes each day spent on flossing could save you from spending a significant amount of money in the future.

Flossing is not the most glamorous task to perform every day, but it has its benefits for your health and your wallet. Be sure to floss daily, and talk to your dentist about proper flossing techniques to keep your smile strong.