[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At The Smile Spa of Baton Rouge, we understand that flossing your teeth every day can be a hard habit to develop, but it is definitely worth the effort. But, we thought we would offer you some flossing tips from a dentist in Baton Rouge. Flossing provides a number of benefits—from simply having cleaner teeth, to preventing cavities, to even avoiding tooth loss. Flossing reaches the places a toothbrush can’t and it removes the food particles and bacteria that get trapped between your teeth before they develop into plaque and tartar. The American Dental Association recommends flossing your teeth at least once a day.

Tooth Flossing is one of the most important procedures to help in maintaining a good oral hygiene. Apart from brushing, flossing is very important in maintaining a good oral hygiene. According to the various studies and research, flossing helps in preventing heart disease, diabetes and many more problems that are likely to occur when the oral hygiene is not well maintained.

Guidelines For Flossing

Teeth that are kept healthy with both tooth brushing and flossing, will prevent tooth decay and major periodontal problems, such as gum disease. The American Dental Association has set a few guidelines for a good dental health:

• Brush your teeth twice a day: Brushing the teeth with a fluoride toothpaste and replacing the tooth brush every 3-4 months
• Floss daily to remove any food particles that remain between the teeth after the meals
• Eat a balanced diet, and try to avoid the snacks between the meals
• Schedule regular dental checkups with a personal dentist and keep a check of the oral hygiene

Flossing Is Good For Your Heart

Flossing helps to prevent periodontal disease and gingivitis. Harvard Medical School researchers found that flossing removes bacteria and plaque from the teeth and gums, the same plaque which is absorbed into the blood stream and can clog arteries and veins. Another study found that men with periodontitis had a startling 70% greater risk of developing coronary disease, while a case of gingivitis meant a 40% increase.

Flossing Helps Prevent Bad Breath

Bad breath can be a common and embarrassing problem to have, but regular flossing can significantly improve it. Because a toothbrush can’t remove all food trapped between your teeth, particles of it can sit in your mouth and rot, giving off foul odors in the process. As the particles break down, they release sulfurous compounds. By flossing every day, you can make sure these smelly food particles are out of your mouth and in the trash.

Flossing Helps Fight Cavitites

No one likes having a dentist’s drill in their mouth, and one of the easiest ways to avoid that situation is nightly flossing. Cavities are decayed areas of teeth that have created tiny holes in the enamel and, if left untreated, can develop into deep, painful pits, according to MayoClinic.com. Cavities occur when all the bacteria, food particles, acids and saliva in your mouth come together to create plaque. The acids in plaque eat away at your teeth and can cause symptoms such as toothaches, sensitivity, pain when biting and visible holes. By not flossing, the plaque between your teeth can form cavities in hard-to-notice places, which can progress to the point where the hole reaches the pulp—the center of the tooth containing nerves—and causes extreme pain.

Gingivitis is the first step down the road to periodontal disease, which eats away at the soft tissue and bone in your mouth and can cause tooth loss, according to MayoClinic.com. Gingivitis is due to a buildup of plaque along the gum line, and it can cause inflammation, soft or tender gums, bad breath and gums that bleed more easily. The more plaque you have and the longer it stays trapped between your teeth, the higher the likelihood that it becomes tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist. It also becomes more likely that you will develop periodontal disease. By flossing daily, you can help lessen the risk of developing gingivitis.

For more information on flossing or any other dental services, schedule an appointment at The Smile Spa, or call us at 225-292-7645.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]