{"id":399,"date":"2016-01-01T20:41:19","date_gmt":"2016-01-01T20:41:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/naplesdentist.wpengine.com\/?p=399"},"modified":"2025-04-15T13:52:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T13:52:19","slug":"10-healthy-benefits-flossing-teeth-correctly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.islandcoastdentistry.com\/blog\/10-healthy-benefits-flossing-teeth-correctly\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Healthy Benefits of Flossing Your Teeth Correctly"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most people know how important it is to brush <\/a>your teeth, but a lot of people don\u2019t bother with flossing. What a lot of people don\u2019t know is that there are a lot of health benefits to flossing your teeth.<\/p>\n

Brushing vs. Flossing<\/h2>\n

Brushing cleans the surface of your teeth. You need to floss in order to clean out the gaps between your teeth, where bacteria often reside. If you don’t floss, you’re more likely to have plaque build-up, which can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. But brush and floss correctly for maximum results.
\nBelow are 10 reasons why it\u2019s a good idea to floss your teeth along with brushing to help keep yourself healthy.<\/p>\n

1. Improves Immunity<\/h2>\n

You may not know that flossing your teeth can help with protecting you from infection and germs far beyond your gums. When you have a lot of bacteria accumulating on your gums and teeth it can travel to other places in your body. If you don\u2019t floss, it may be why you are having so many infections.<\/p>\n

2. Prevents Obesity<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019d like to lose weight, you might want to try flossing. A Swedish study<\/a> released some facts according to which oral health issues and obesity might be much closer linked that it was thought until now. The study appeared in the BMC Journal of Oral Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Lowers Stroke Risk<\/h2>\n

Oral health has been linked to the health of the heart. Patients with gum disease and tooth decay often have strokes. When you floss, it\u2019s going to help keep your heart healthier.<\/p>\n

4. Flossing Saves You Money<\/h2>\n

Dental preventive care now can pay significant dividends down the road. Professional dental procedures<\/strong> are highly advanced, and can repair even severe medical problems. But ask any dentist what the most effective, cost-efficient tools are for protecting oral health, and you’re likely to receive a free toothbrush and box of floss.<\/p>\n

5. Helps with Managing Blood Sugar<\/h2>\n

People with diabetes often suffer from gum disease. When you have diabetes, high blood sugar can take a toll on your entire body \u2014 including your teeth and gums. Besides this condition, studies have shown that the diabetics<\/a> who are regularly brushing and flossing have levels of blood sugar that are easier to manage.<\/p>\n

6. May Help With Arthritis<\/h2>\n

A German study published in the Journal of Periodontology showed that people with arthritis had more gum disease<\/a> than people without arthritis \u2014 in fact, the arthritis patients had eight times the odds of developing gum disease. Doctors don\u2019t know for sure how gum disease and arthritis are linked, but the diseases have inflammation in common, which may explain the connection.<\/p>\n

7. Protects Your Gums<\/h2>\n

Tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis: red, swollen gums that are the first stage of gum disease. If left unchecked, the bacteria-laden tartar and plaque can spread even deeper below the gum line, causing periodontitis: severe gum disease.<\/p>\n

8. Prevents Tooth Loss<\/h2>\n

Each morning you have a bacteria layer when you wake up upon your teeth known as plaque. When tartar and plaque are under your gums, they can lead to gingivitis. If it\u2019s not treated, it can cause periodontal disease. When you floss, it can remove that bacteria and then reduce your chance of tooth loss.<\/p>\n

9. Helps Freshen Breath<\/h2>\n

When you are flossing your teeth, you are going to have fresher breath. You are going to have a higher amount of self-esteem and you are going to feel much better about yourself.<\/p>\n

10. Prevent Recession of Gums<\/h2>\n

When your gums are unhealthy because of gum disease or tartar buildup, your gums will start receding and expose more of your teeth. Your teeth look longer and they are more sensitive. The space in between your teeth also will accumulate food particles and make your teeth look horrible.<\/p>\n

What About Mouthwash?<\/h2>\n

Like toothpaste, mouthwash helps kill the bacteria that create plaque. It can get into the tight spaces between the teeth and gums, especially after flossing to clean plaque and food particles from those areas. While it can’t physically scrub the teeth and gums like brushing or flossing, mouthwash that contains fluoride can strengthen tooth enamel, helping prevent cavities.<\/p>\n

American Dental Association Tips for Flossing Right<\/h2>\n