While most of us having brushing firmly set within our daily dental health routine, flossing is something that we often know we should be doing but perhaps forget to be quite so vigilant about. Throughout the day food can build up between the teeth, these food particles can then in turn develop into plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria that can eat away at the enamel of your teeth, eventually damaging the central root of your tooth until the tooth is beyond repair. Flossing is the best preventative measure for removing food and plaque from in between your teeth before damage can occur.

Regular flossing, of course alongside brushing, can help stop gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath and a wide range of dental issues. Gum disease is the infection and inflammation of your gums caused by the build up of bacteria in the lining of the gum. The infection can eventually kill the tooth root (requiring its removal) if left untreated. Carefully flossing above and below of the gum line can removing the bacteria that may cause infection. In places inaccessible to your tooth brush, plaque will build up and damage your teeth. Flossing can reach these places in the tight spaces between the teeth and removing any damaging plaque or food particles before they damage anything. The breakdown of food by the bacteria in your mouth is a common cause of bad breath, flossing will remove these materials and possibly eliminate any bad breath.

Floss comes in a wide range of different shapes, sizes and forms. If you are at all unsure about the best type ask your City of Leeds dentist for advise, they will be happy to suggest what would work best for your personal needs.