To Floss or To Not: 4 Health Benefits of Flossing

To floss is to clean between one’s teeth with dental floss. The floss is commonly made out of plastic or nylon, it is a thin thread that you place between your teeth and pull in order to clean the gaps. It helps to remove food and debris from the teeth. Floss

Some of the health benefits of flossing are:

1. Avoidance of plaque build-up: plaque can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Flossing helps to avoid plaque build-up, hence, improving your dental hygiene as well as your overall health.

2. Prevention of gum disease : Gum disease develops as a result of plaque build-up. Since flossing helps to avoid plaque build-up, it subsequently helps to prevent gum disease.

3. Reduction of periodontal disease and cavity-causing bacteria : Flossing regularly results in a significant decrease in gingival bleeding. According to a study,
“In a well-matched twin cohort, tooth and tongue brushing plus flossing significantly decreased the abundance of microbial species associated with periodontal disease and dental caries after a two-week program.”

4. Better breath and health : Bacteria in the mouth can cause bad breath,also, food a between your teeth can make them look less clean or white. Thus, flossing, helps to improve the appearance of your mouth as well as your overall health.