5 Amazing Health Benefits of Flossing

5 Amazing Health Benefits of Flossing


Our parents have been absolutely right about flossing. Not only does it remove debris from teeth gaps but also prevents cavities and keeps many diseases linked to dental health, at bay. Dentists always emphasise on the benefits of flossing but rarely do we pay attention. Flossing is a simple process done using a nylon thread or an automatic flosser that reaches many crevices and corners in our gums which tooth brushes fail to do. Studies have revealed that non-flossers not only are prone to teeth and gum diseases but are at a higher risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases and a weak immunity. Flossing and diabetes too are inter-linked. If you are still clueless about how teeth health commands your body, take a look at these 5 amazing health benefits of flossing. You will surely change our mind.


Reduce Bad Breath

Our teeth are the gateways of our bodies and they get to taste all that goes inside, including various strains of bacteria. The food that we eat gets stuck in tiny gaps as soft, sticky, white deposits. This when left untreated breeds bacteria and causes the mouth to smell real bad. It is not the food that causes bad breath but not flossing causes it. Flossing flushes out food particles caught between your teeth and also cleans all the bacteria that cause foul smell. Brushing and flossing together can work amazingly well on bad breath.


Avoid Cavities and Sensitivity

Cavities in the teeth and heat or cold sensitivity are the real foes for many people. The moment they sip or bite on something hot or cold, they experience chills and shocks all along the gums and teeth and go into a tizzy. This is because cavities are formed when bacteria sit for too long on your teeth and create tiny gaps which get deeper by the day and reach the teeth nerves. They become so sensitive that eating becomes a problem. Both these complications can be effectively treated by flossing. Regular flossing removes food deposits and plaque and cuts the risk of teeth cavities. Using a dentist approved mouthwash adds to the benefits of flossing.


Prevent Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease

One of the many things that we are horrified about is dental bills. The moment you step into a dentist’s office, you can be sure of emptying your wallet. And the risk increases when you do not floss and leave your teeth and gums to rot in the hands of plaque and tartar. Over time, tartar build-up resulting from the failure to floss can cause inflammation in the mouth, which is called gingivitis or gum disease. If not treated, gum disease can turn into periodontal disease that damages the bones and gums, thereby uprooting teeth. Doesn’t this sound scary? Add flossing to your daily regime to flaunt a toothy grin.


Reduce risk of heart diseases

This is one of the most important benefits of flossing. When your teeth are flossed daily, it helps your gums from being inflamed because inflammation in the gums can breed all kinds of bacteria. Such bacteria get into the blood stream and circulate through your system and end up sitting in your arteries. Clogging and narrowing of the arteries is the end result. As an automatic response, your body's gum inflammation leads to a chain reaction to such clogging. This automatic defense response may also cause your arteries to narrow. All these reactions are interlinked and lead to total chaos. Flossing prevents heart disease and all the complications that follow.


Flossing and Diabetes

There is evidence that diabetes can be aggravated in people with gum disease and that people with poor gums and teeth can contract diabetes too. When the mouth is studded with bacteria, it causes internal inflammation which severely upsets the glucose levels. Tissue inflammation can therefore develop more rapidly, particularly at the gum level. This way, people are more susceptible to infections and they take plenty of time to heal. It is very important to remove dental plaque and tartar regularly to avoid the onset or complicating diabetes.

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Reviewed By:

Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)

Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad