Why Do We Hate Flossing?

It seems we hate flossing and rarely ever do it. Why do we hate it and is it really that important?

Redmond (I-Newswire) April 12, 2012 - It’s the one thing that continuously comes up after every dentist visit. “How often do you floss?” You’re hesitant to respond, but you muster up an answer that tells the doctor your probably not flossing as much as you should be. He delivers that infamous, stern look and you tell yourself “Okay, this is it. I’m going to floss every day from now on!” But what ends up happening? Sure you may floss the following two days but it just never seems to stick.

We hate flossing because it requires more time than brushing and we really see no immediate benefit. No noticeable fresh breath, no bright, white teeth, and no reason we can’t do it tomorrow. In reality, flossing is absolutely essential to good oral health. It’s been continuously proven by dental professionals time and time again!

Flossing helps in preventing periodontal disease and gingivitis. Flossing removes bacteria and plaque from your teeth which if left in it’s place, can be swallowed and absorbed into the blood stream. This absorption of bacteria and plaque into the blood stream can clog arteries and veins. It may seem blatantly obvious now that flossing should be introduced into your daily routine. But if you’re still not convinced, theres more!

Periodontitis is directly related with the lack of flossing. It is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth. The symptoms include breath odor, gums that bleed easily, loose teeth, and swollen gums. If left untreated, Periodontitis can cause infection of the jaw bones, tooth flaring or shifting, tooth abscess, and eventually tooth loss and/or gum disease.

Flossing may be something we brush off and are only reminded of it when we’ve got that upcoming dentist visit or have just had a dentist visit, but daily flossing and proper oral care can really save your life! If your looking to kickstart your lifelong passion for good oral care, call Dr. Ronald Frost in Redmond Washington at (425) 883-4099 or visit his website at www.ronaldfrostdds.com. Specializing in all phases of cosmetic, preventative, and restorative dentistry.