Why is flossing important, and does it have long-term health effects? Read on for those answers, plus seven amazing flossing benefits you should know.

Flossing doesn't add much time to your routine each morning and night and the benefits are well worth the extra effort. The question is, why aren't more people doing it every day?

In a recent survey, only 16% of participants said that they floss at least once a day. Some participants responded that they floss when they have food stuck in their teeth while others said they never flossed at all.

There's a reason why the team at your dentist's office encourages you to floss! Don't believe us?

Let's talk about the flossing benefits that you're not going to want to miss out on. Keep reading to learn seven reasons why you're going to want to add flossing to your routine right away!

1. Flossing Is Preventative Care

If you think of flossing as a way to get that pesky piece of corn out of your teeth, it's time to realize just how much flossing can do! In the world of dentistry, we consider flossing to be preventative care. Just like eating healthy and exercising can help lower your risk of heart disease, flossing can lower your risk of all sorts of oral diseases and problems.

Remember, there's a ton of bacteria in your mouth. Brushing helps to get rid of a lot of it, but flossing can take care of about 40% of the bacteria-covered surface area of your teeth that toothbrushes just can't touch.

2. Flossing Prevents the Buildup of Tartar

Plaque is constantly building up on your teeth throughout the day. Plaque is that sticky substance, usually yellow in color, that forms on your teeth between the times that we brush.

When plaque isn't removed frequently, it forms into tartar. Tartar is the hardened and stubborn cousin of plaque. It's so bonded to your teeth that it tends to take a dental professional to remove it!

3. Flossing Can Help You to Have Fresh Breath

Even when you can't feel pieces of food stuck between your teeth, they tend to accumulate while you eat. When they're really wedged in there, your toothbrush can't quite reach them, which means that without floss, they're going to linger.

As that food deteriorates, it starts to produce a really unpleasant odor. If you've ever wondered why you can't seem to get the fresh breath you're hoping for after brushing, it's probably because you need to start flossing, too!

4. Brushing Alone Isn't Enough for a Truly Clean Mouth

We've been hinting at this one all along: brushing isn't enough.

No matter how often you brush, how long you brush, or how much pressure you use when you brush, there are some nooks and crannies those toothbrush bristles can't reach. Floss, on the other hand, can get between each tooth and dislodge all of the food and bacteria stuck in there, giving you a much cleaner mouth.

5. Flossing Can Give You a Whiter Smile

There are a lot of products out there that are designed to whiten your smile. From whitening strips to mouth trays covered in laser lights, you can spend a lot of time and money trying to get your teeth a shade or two whiter.

Before you dive into all of those products, however, why not try flossing? Plaque and tartar, as we mentioned earlier, have a yellow appearance and floss is a great way to reduce the plaque on your teeth. While some may find that their teeth are stained from coffee or tobacco use, many people will have success whitening their smile with a good routine of brushing and flossing.

6. Flossing Prevents Gum Disease

The reality is that plaque and tartar don't just make your teeth look yellow. They can also do some serious damage to your gums.

Plaque can be very acidic. If you're not quick to remove it twice a day, it can start to eat away at your soft gum tissue, causing inflammation and opening the door to infection. This is what we refer to as gum disease or periodontal disease.

If gum disease progresses into an advanced stage, it can lead to further issues like tooth decay, root canals, and even tooth loss. That's far more pain and damage than anyone should have to endure, especially when the preventative solution is as simple as flossing.

7. Floss Is a Lot Cheaper Than Oral Surgery

The price of floss can vary based on the brand, the type, where you buy it, and whether or not you buy it in bulk. No matter what, floss costs less money than oral surgery.

Remember when we referred to flossing as preventative care? Some of the issues that arise from plaque and bacteria buildup (like gum disease) can require some serious damage control in the form of oral surgery. Save yourself the trouble and money and start flossing today!

Don't Sleep on These Flossing Benefits

If it were up to dentists, everyone would floss at least once a day along with their usual brushing routine. Now that you know all of these incredible flossing benefits, help us get the number of people who floss every day up from 16% and closer to 100%!

Have you had your biannual checkup yet? Has it been more than six months since you've last visited the dentist to have your teeth examined and cleaned? Do you have any concerns about your oral health and what to consult with a dentist?

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