The biggest meal of the year has come and gone and there’s no better way to follow this day than to floss your little heart out. That’s right, people, we are telling you this because November 29th is National Flossing Day. We know it isn’t as exciting as National Prank Your Friend Day, or National Leave Work Early Day, but the reality is that flossing on a regular basis has some pretty amazing benefits.
Let’s be honest for a quick second: nobody really wants to floss. Flossing is an oral hygiene routine that is typically done reluctantly. Statistically, the average person lies about how much they floss when they go in for a dental checkup, despite the fact that the American Dental Association recommends flossing once a day for optimal oral health. Dental floss gets into the nooks and crannies that the bristles of your toothbrush cannot reach.
National Flossing Day was established in 2019 to remind people of the importance of flossing, because taking care of your teeth and gums is part of life. Not to mention, a great oral hygiene routine decreases your risk of gum disease or gingivitis, and lessens the chance of you needing expensive veneers in the future. For more reasons why you should be flossing, read about the benefits below.
Flossing Reduces Bad Breath
If you have chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, chewing gum or popping mints all day will not remedy the problem. The smell is always there, and it may be attributed to tartar build-up, which has an unpleasant aroma. Brushing your teeth helps to reduce tartar build-up on the teeth, but flossing removes it from between the teeth and gums. Start flossing at least once a day to help freshen your breath.
Flossing Can Help Prevent Gum Disease
When plaque builds up on or between your teeth, people can develop cavities, but too much plaque can increase the risk of periodontal disease or gum disease. Periodontal disease is an infectious process that can alter the entire structure of the mouth. All you need to do is floss regularly to get rid of the bacteria between your teeth.
Flossing Prevents Gingivitis
Gingivitis is one of the most common oral health conditions, resulting in inflamed gums that are extremely sensitive. In some cases, people with gingivitis experience bleeding gums. One of the easiest ways to decrease your risk of gingivitis is by flossing, which works to remove bacteria around the gum line.
Flossing Helps Control Diabetes
This one is a shocking benefit, but diabetes and flossing are in fact connected. Failure to floss regularly can lead to a faster accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. As it turns out, research has shown that oral bacteria can affect glucose levels in the blood, creating a problem for people with diabetes. In order to help stabilize blood glucose levels, floss at least once a day to remove oral bacteria from between your teeth.
