Flossing is a task that many people struggle to do every day. Brushing twice per day often feels like less of a burden because it is quick and something most people have done since childhood. Flossing can be more time-consuming than brushing – especially if you are careful to get to every area of your mouth. It can also seem like skipping out on flossing is okay because the official recommendation is to brush twice per day but floss once. The argument is that it must be less important than brushing because it is recommended less frequently. The reality is that flossing is an essential part of a high-quality oral care routine. You put yourself at risk for some harmful side effects if you skip out on flossing.

Gum disease

Gum disease is a common issue for adults. The mildest form of gum disease – gingivitis – can develop due to poor oral hygiene routine. Untreated gingivitis will worsen over time and turn into the more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. Gingivitis can come with symptoms like bleeding gums, red gums, sensitive gums, and oral pain. Periodontitis can lead to serious side effects like receding gums and tooth loss. Flossing is a key element of protecting your gums from disease. Plaque and bacteria can get in between your teeth and up at the gumline. Flossing each day helps remove anything that is between your teeth and at the gumline which, in turn, helps protect against gum disease. If you get diagnosed with gingivitis, one of the most important steps you can implement into your oral care routine is daily flossing.

Decay

Decay can eat away at your teeth and cause you to experience serious pain. Untreated decay can lead to infection and tooth loss. Brushing helps remove decay-causing bacteria and particles from your teeth. Brushing cannot reach every area of your teeth which means it is not enough to fully protect you from decay. Flossing helps remove any particles and bacteria that are between your teeth. This helps prevent decay from occurring between your teeth.

Bad breath

Bad breath can be impacted by a number of factors. The food you eat and how often you brush your teeth can both impact your breath. If you are keeping up with brushing but still notice bad breath, it may be because you are skipping out on flossing. Food particles that get stuck between your teeth and are not removed with brushing can cause bad breath. Add flossing to your daily oral care routine to see if it has a positive impact on your breath.

Skipping out on flossing can lead to some serious side effects. Do not put your oral health at risk by neglecting this step of your oral care routine. If you have struggled to stay consistent with flossing in the past, try switching up what you use for floss. For example, you can use an individual flosser or a water pick – instead of actual floss – and still get the benefits of flossing.