You’ve heard it repeatedly: Flossing is integral to dental home care.
But just how important is it?
You might think you can brush your teeth and perhaps rinse with some mouth rinse like Listerine, and that’s enough. And you wouldn’t be alone in thinking that due to advertising. For a long time, Listerine ran ads claiming their product was just as effective as flossing.
In 2005, a judge ruled that Listerine had to change its advertising because of false information.
And yet, despite that ruling and nearly 20 years of new information and ads, many people still think they don’t really need to floss.
Your Carson orthodontist (and every dental professional!) begs to differ.
Today, we’ll explain why flossing is so important – especially for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in Carson.
Why Is Dental Hygiene at Home So Important?
Dental home care is vital to your oral health and your general health.
Lack of good oral hygiene can lead to:
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Dental decay
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Gum disease
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Tooth infections
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Gum infections
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Tooth loss
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Discoloration
The bacteria in plaque, as well as the bacteria in any oral infections you may have, can wreak havoc on your overall health, too.
Tooth infections can spread to the brain and heart. Gum infections can contribute to:
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Heart disease
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Stroke
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Respiratory infections
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Pregnancy complications
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Diabetes
Your Carson dental health team wants you to stay healthy – and they want you to enjoy a beautiful smile. You can achieve this with daily brushing and flossing.
Why Is Dental Hygiene Especially Vital for Orthodontic Patients?
Patients who wear braces are at higher risk of developing dental diseases, including decay and gum disease – especially if they don’t floss regularly.
Bacteria-laden plaque doesn’t just build up on your teeth. It also builds up on and around the orthodontic brackets, as well as in between your teeth.
If plaque isn’t removed from around the brackets, the acids released from the bacteria can damage the enamel. At first, this phenomenon can demineralize the enamel, resulting in white spots around the brackets.
Demineralization causes tooth weakness and makes teeth more susceptible to decay.
We understand that flossing and using floss threaders can seem time-consuming and sometimes frustrating. But it would be a shame to invest thousands of dollars into orthodontic care and end up with enamel damage that requires composite bonding or veneers to repair.
Why Your Carson Orthodontist Recommends Flossing: 5 Benefits
Your Carson orthodontist wants you to have straight teeth and optimal-functioning dentition. They also want you to have healthy teeth and gums post-orthodontic treatment. To ensure this, they recommend flossing. Here are some reasons they urge their patients to add flossing into their daily dental hygiene routine.
1. Reduce Your Risk of Decay
Dental decay can cause white, brown, or black spots on the teeth that aren’t very attractive. Worse than aesthetics, though, is that decay can damage your teeth and cause pain.
In the early stages of decay, you might not have any symptoms. Eventually, you’ll experience sensitivity to sweet foods and perhaps even hot and cold foods. Left untreated, decay can cause excruciating toothaches. Sometimes, the teeth are so damaged that patients lose their teeth or need extensive dental treatment.
Dental decay may take some time to develop – and it is treatable – but why risk it if you don’t have to? With daily flossing, you can prevent decay, toothaches, and tooth loss.
2. Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
Gum disease often develops more quickly than decay. Our gum tissue is very delicate, while enamel is one of the strongest biological materials.
When plaque and bacteria rest on and around the gums, the gums become irritated and can develop infections. These infections put the gum tissue, teeth, and jawbone at high risk for damage. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss.
Flossing removes plaque between the teeth and below the gum line, thereby eliminating the risk of irritating your delicate gum tissue and developing gum disease . You’re left with healthy, pink gums and healthy bones that will support your teeth for years.
3. Combat Bad Breath
In addition to certain aromatic foods (garlic, onions, etc.), bacteria are a significant cause of bad breath. Bacteria can build up on every surface of your mouth, including:
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Outer surfaces of the teeth
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Biting surfaces of your teeth
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In between the teeth
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Gum line
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Below the gum line (root surfaces)
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Soft tissues, including cheeks, tongue, and roof of the mouth
Brushing, tongue scraping, and flossing are all needed to ensure fresh breath each day.
4. Encourages Better Overall Health
Researchers have repeatedly confirmed the link between oral health and heart disease over the past few decades.
Removing bacteria is just one way to keep your heart healthy and potentially increase your life expectancy.
5. Improve the Appearance of Your Teeth
Everyone wants a beautiful smile – especially after orthodontic care in Carson.
However, you can be proud of your smile even if you’re still in braces.
Daily flossing removes plaque and bacteria that can discolor your teeth, making them look yellow or brown.
Additionally, when plaque builds up, it is clearly visible, leaving a sticky build-up around your brackets, teeth, and gums that isn’t very attractive.
Finally, plaque build-up can irritate your gums, making them look red and puffy. Floss every day, and your gums will look pink and healthy, making your smile look like a million bucks, whether you still have brackets or not!
How Should You Take Care of Your Teeth Once You Get a Retainer?
How you take care of your teeth after orthodontic treatment in Carson depends on the type of retainer you receive from your orthodontist.
The most common retainers are removable. You can take these out when you eat, brush your teeth, and floss. Make sure to clean the retainer daily to prevent bacterial build-up , which can damage the retainer and put you at higher risk of developing decay, gum disease, and soft tissue conditions.
With these types of retainers, you can brush and floss as normal. Fixed or bonded retainers will require that you continue to use floss threaders to floss thoroughly.
Why Invest in Regular Dental Cleanings and Check-Ups?
In addition to flossing daily, regular dental check-ups are a must to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Visiting your dentist every six months can help prevent dental diseases and catch potential issues early when they’re easier to treat.
With proper home care – including daily flossing – and regular visits to your Carson dentist, you can ensure better oral health now and into the future.
Do you have any questions or concerns about your orthodontic care? Call Orthodontics of Carson at (424) 391-8941. We’re happy to answer your questions!
