You should always make time in your daily routine to take care of your teeth. First thing in the morning and last thing at night are the best times. When you sleep your mouth doesn’t produce much saliva so plaque and bacteria can thrive there. Most people brush their teeth as a matter of course but too many people don’t get around to flossing as well. If you are one of those people then you should consider how you might be endangering the good health of your teeth.
Brushing alone cannot reach every single corner of your mouth where plaque exists. It is crucial that you remove as much plaque as possible though, so that dental decay and gum disease can’t take hold. Plaque causes cavities to form in teeth and gums to become inflamed, with an associated risk of tooth loss if the inflammation is not dealt with.
By flossing you will be removing the plaque from between the teeth where your brush is unable to reach. Flossing can be a little painful to begin with as it can cause small lacerations in the gums between your teeth but this should cease after a few days. If bleeding continues then you should seek advice from your City of Leeds dentist.
The thought of having to remember something else to add to your shopping list might give you a small sense of dread but flossing is eminently worth doing if it saves you from having to go through the problems that are caused by dental decay and gum disease. It is always preferable to avoid these things rather than having to deal with the consequences which can be painful and inconvenient.
Tags: brushing, flossing, gum disease, plaque
