Imagine yourself being at the dentist. The pearly whites of your teeth may appear perfect even if you brush twice a day with high-quality toothpaste, but your dentist asks, “Have you been flossing?” Taking care of your teeth each day could prevent problems.
Most of us lie through our teeth (literally). Think twice before skipping floss the next time you brush. Wonder how? According to dentists, not flossing can lead to these problems:
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Bleeding Gums
You might not be flossing enough if your gums are bleeding while you brush your teeth. According to Domino Dental dentist Lilya Horowitz, the plaque and inflammation of the gums can result from not flossing regularly. Gums may become red, swollen, or bleeding. Gum disease will develop if the plaque remains untreated.
According to Dr. Gary Liu at Kind Smiles in California, children with gum disease may also have heart disease and complications during pregnancy. You may also have bleeding gums if you brush too hard, take blood thinners or wear dentures that are not fitting properly. If this continues, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.
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Bad Breath
In addition to poor dental hygiene, halitosis is one of the most common causes of bad breath. A dentist and the lead medical adviser for Snow and Frost Oral Care, Dr. Brian Harris, says terrible breath is frequently caused by bacteria, dead skin cells, and food particles in the mouth. You can improve your confidence and breath by flossing.”