Saskatoon Dental Group is a locally owned, full-scale Saskatoon dental clinic offering general dentistry services. At Saskatoon Dental Group, we are dedicated to offering excellent care to our amazing patients who are like family to us. We are grateful to treat whole families in Saskatoon across multiple generations, and have a multicultural team speaking multiple languages. In our latest dental tip, we discuss the outcome if you do not floss your teeth.
Do You Really Need To Floss?
While most people brush their teeth on a regular basis, the same cannot always be said for flossing. Flossing is a crucial component of a good oral hygiene routine. Read on to discover the outcome if you do not floss your teeth.
Plaque & Tartar Build Up
If you do not floss, plaque and tartar build up on the teeth. Brushing does a great job of cleaning the front, back, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. However, your toothbrush cannot clean in between the teeth. Flossing is the only way to get rid of plaque build up in those tight spaces. The removal of plaque build up is necessary to prevent cavities.
When plaque remains on the teeth for long periods of time, it hardens into tartar. Tartar build up traps food particles and causes cavities. Once tartar build up has formed on the teeth, it must be scraped off by your dentist. Regular flossing removes plaque from between the teeth before it hardens and progresses into tartar build up.
Cavities
When you do not floss to clean the areas in between your teeth, cavities inevitably start to form. Cavities that form between the teeth from lack of flossing are far more difficult to fill. Flossing regularly helps to avoid cavities and will maintain good oral health.
Gingivitis
If plaque is not removed from the mouth through flossing, the teeth, as well as the gums, are affected. When plaque is left in between the teeth, gums become red, sore, and inflamed, causing discomfort. While many people can live with mild gingivitis, it has the potential to develop further. Flossing is crucial in mitigating the risk of gingivitis and further oral health concerns.
Periodontitis
When you do not floss and gingivitis is developed, it has the potential to progress into periodontitis. Periodontitis is a serious form of gum disease where bacteria eats at the gums and bone that holds your teeth in place. Not only is periodontitis extremely painful, your gums may recede to the point of exposing the roots of the teeth. Once the roots of the teeth are exposed, the only option is surgery. Flossing regularly ensures gingivitis is kept at bay so that it does not develop into periodontitis, which is a much more serious condition.
Tooth Loss
Cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis, all create an unstable base for your teeth. If you do not floss, tooth loss is the most detrimental outcome that can result. A stable base is necessary for strong and healthy teeth. If tooth decay progresses far enough, your dentist may have to extract the teeth. In more severe cases where periodontitis is present, the teeth may fall out on their own. Once significant tooth loss is present, the natural teeth are not salvageable and dentures will be the only option.
Overall, regular flossing should always be a part of your oral hygiene routine. Flossing once per day is vital for the health of your teeth and gums.
Remember that good oral health habits start at home and we encourage you to visit us once a year for a full checkup and examination. Oral health is closely tied to your overall health and wellness and often we can identify issues before they become problems.
We are always welcoming patients looking for a new dental family. If you would like to book a checkup or if you have any dental questions please do not hesitate to reach out to our team.
See you soon!
The Saskatoon Dental Group Team
