Preventive Dentistry: How Important Is Flossing?

Preventive dentistry focuses on the prevention and early detection of oral health concerns to help ensure they do not develop or progress to a more severe stage that is harder to treat. One of the primary goals of preventive dentistry is to help patients care for their teeth between check-up visits, which should include proper flossing during one’s daily oral care routine.

The benefits of flossing and why it is vital for your oral health

Many understand the importance of brushing teeth, but the importance of flossing is often understated or not fully appreciated by many. This review discusses the benefits of flossing for preventive dentistry to illustrate exactly why dental professionals find it so important for patients to floss regularly.

Helps prevent gum disease

Often, the inevitable result of an improper flossing routine is the development of gum disease. Of course, brushing and the use of mouthwash may help reduce the risk of gum disease, but flossing is equally important. This is because flossing can remove plaque and food particles that accumulate along the gum line, particularly in hard-to-reach areas that may be missed while brushing.

Reduces the risk of decay between teeth

Decay (cavities) can occur in between teeth if food and plaque become lodged and are not promptly removed. This creates an acidic reaction that can eat away at the dental enamel, leading to the need for restorative dentistry. Flossing is, of course, the most logical way to remove food that is lodged in between teeth and reduce the risk of decay in hard-to-reach areas.

Helps produce fresher breath

Patients who begin flossing regularly often find that their breath smells better throughout each day. This makes sense considering the strong odor that food can have, especially when combined with bacteria that naturally occur in the mouth. Flossing, along with brushing, mouthwash, and drinking water throughout the day, can prevent bad breath (halitosis).

Can improve the appearance of your smile

Flossing can prevent plaque build-up in between and along the edges of teeth. It can also make teeth look and feel as if more space is between them as well, which can provide the patient with a much more attractive smile that gives them more confidence daily.

May reduce the risk of heart disease

Research has shown that individuals who develop gum disease are more likely to develop heart disease as well. While the specific reason for the correlation is not definitive, many believe this is because gum disease may contribute to the narrowing of arteries. Subsequently, by flossing and reducing the risk of gum disease, one is also reducing the risk of heart disease as well.

Schedule a visit with our office for preventive dentistry

Here at our practice, we offer preventive dentistry services as well as restorative dentistry to help patients achieve ideal oral health. If you have any specific concerns about your oral health or are due for your next check-up visit, then we encourage you to give us a call to schedule a visit today.

Request an appointment here: https://mgdental.com or call MG Dental at (718) 416-6444 for an appointment in our Brooklyn office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Preventative Dental Care in Brooklyn, NY.

Recent Posts

Visiting A Preventive Dentist Can Help Maintain Your Oral Health

A preventive dentist can protect your mouth from different ailments. This dental care professional can perform treatments that can keep your teeth and gums healthy. Regular visits can ward off serious dental problems later on. Here are the details about visiting a preventive dentist for good oral health.The main goal of this field is to…

A Dentist Explains How Preventive Dentistry Can Avoid Cavities

Preventative dentistry is a branch that focuses primarily on keeping dental issues at bay. Preventing dental issues is cheaper than treating them, and you do not have to deal with the pain and discomfort that comes with oral problems when you stop them from developing in the first place.Preventive dentistry starts with educating patients about…

Preventive Dentistry Tips: How To Floss Properly

Flossing is a big part of preventive dentistry. It removes plaques, makes teeth less likely to decay and also reduces the risk of gum disease. You need to clean between your teeth every day, according to the American Dental Association. This can be difficult if you do not know what to do. Follow some tips…

5 Reasons Preventative Dental Care Is Important

Preventative dental care is critical. For most people, the word "dental appointment" brings anxiety and dread. There are many reasons why people feel this way like how dentists have been historically portrayed in the media or past bad experiences.The reality is that a visit to the dentist can save a person a lot of pain,…

MG Dental

Share
Published by
MG Dental

Recent Posts

Worker’s Compensation and Veneers for Workplace Dental Injuries

While there are many ways to address dental injuries, a common way happens to be…

2 weeks ago

Dental Bonding and Teeth Whitening

Dental bonding and teeth whitening are common dental procedures that improve the appearance of your…

3 weeks ago

3 Laser Dentistry Procedures

Lasers can treat many dental conditions and diseases. They can also make dental procedures more…

2 months ago

What to Expect at Your Family Dentist Appointment

A family dentist appointment generally focuses on overall preventive care and minor treatments unless a…

2 months ago

Root Canal Aftercare: Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Every general dentist aims to keep the tooth intact. A root canal is one way…

2 months ago

How Dental Implants Improve Oral Health and Function

A dental implant is much like a natural tooth that completes the entire dental structure.

3 months ago