The Benefits Of Flossing

Dr. Sonia Sharma

People visiting our Brampton dental office are asked about their flossing habit as part of the initial questionnaire during diagnosis and total checkup. The reason is not to intrigue some one with some thing he or she is not aware of, but to make sure that one understands the relative goods about the miracle thread called floss. Unfortunately majority of our community have abysmal understanding about the importance and usage of floss. Most people fulfill their moral obligation towards their teeth by quickly brushing them once a day.

There are two main reasons why flossing is essential to maintain your oral habits. One is the prevention of cavities forming between the teeth. The other is the prevention of gum and bone disease. In this article I will focus on the prevention of cavities formation between the teeth.

Before touting the use of floss. I want every individual to know that there is not one toothbrush that is ever made or out there that actually ‘reach’ between your teeth. Usually teeth are in closer proximity to each other; therefore the soft bristles of the toothbrush will bend before they will go between the teeth. This is why floss is needed. It is a known fact that, people with spaces between the teeth generally have strong teeth and healthy gums because the bristles of the toothbrush reaches and clean all nooks and corners in and around the teeth. To reach in between spaces floss is needed. Brushing removes only about 65% of the plaque and food debris from the teeth. The area where brush touches the teeth is called the contact. It is right below the contact that almost all in-between cavities begin. These cavities are also called proximal cavities. If you do not pass floss through the in-between area, you cannot remove the plaque that has accumulated through out the day. If the plaque stays permanently, acid from food and drinks sticks to it and starts to destroy the top layer of teeth also called enamel. Once this decay begins, it is almost difficult to stop the progression. But, your dentist can stop the decay by removing it and filling in the area with resin composite that bond with the tooth and make it stronger. Decay is similar to rusting of the car, if you do not treat it in time with denting and bonding with new enamel, it will spread and eat up the whole body of an automobile.

Most of the time, proximal dental decay is difficult to detect unless the spreading has affected a larger area of the tooth, therefore x-rays are essential in the diagnosis and prevention of the in-between dental decay. Preventative x-rays taken once or twice years are very helpful for your dentist to timely diagnose your in-between cavities. With correct diagnosis, treatment can be rendered almost immediately. If the diagnosis shows the decay, it is extremely important to get the filling done or else risk losing the tooth.

To prevent the cavities in-between the teeth, flossing is the best cavity fighting method. Each one of us is different and has different needs. It is important that you have regular dental visits so that dentist can perform periodic exams and catch any problem early.

In the future, I will continue with how flossing is can effect the gums and bone support of your teeth. I will also discuss the different type of dental flosses as well as other type of tools that can be incorporated in your daily dental hygiene habits. I also hoped that, I have answered some questions that a lot of you have about dental flossing. If you have any other related questions, please feel free to contact my office or email it to me. And, in the meantime, please do not forget to floss.

Please remember that the information is provided as general information. It is NOT intended to replace professional care. Since every patient and every case may vary, consult your physician or dentist for advice on your particular situation.

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