By Agbai Sharonjoyce
Many people rely solely on brushing their teeth each day to maintain a bright smile. While brushing is essential, it only cleans the visible surfaces of the teeth.
To fully protect your oral health, you also need to clean areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. This is where flossing becomes important.
Flossing is a way of cleaning tight gaps between the teeth; it also cleans the area under the gum line, where food and germs hide. Most people use the regular string for cleaning their teeth, but water flossers, interdental brushes and special picks can also be used.
Flossing is not an optional or random oral care habit. It completes the job that brushing alone cannot handle. Its main purpose is to remove plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria that forms on the teeth.
If plaque is not removed daily, it can harden into calculus, also known as tartar. Once tartar forms, it cannot be removed by brushing or flossing and requires professional dental cleaning.
Allowing plaque and tartar to build up can lead to gingivitis, a condition that causes the gums to become red, swollen, and prone to bleeding.
If left untreated, it may progress to more serious gum disease, where the gums pull away from the teeth and the bone supporting the teeth begins to break down, potentially leading to tooth loss.
Brushing only handles the front, back and upside of the teeth, but flossing is a thin tool that slides into the tiny gaps and pulls out the trash.
Research reveals that both tools (brush and floss) are much better than using just one. A Cochrane review on home flossing showed that cleaning between the gaps between teeth helps reduce gum redness and plaque more than just brushing alone.
Brushing properly is good, as it is the first line of defence. But flossing finishes the job.
Benefits of flossing
Adding flossing to your daily routine may feel unnecessary at first, especially when brushing seems sufficient. However, consistent flossing offers long-term benefits.
It removes food particles and plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line, helping to prevent cavities, bad breath, and gum disease.
Good oral hygiene also supports overall health. A 2019 study on oral hygiene and heart health found that people who maintained good dental care had a lower risk of heart-related problems, suggesting a strong link between oral health and general well-being
What experts recommend
For best results, dental experts recommend flossing before brushing. A 2018 study on flossing sequence showed that flossing first loosens trapped debris, making it easier for brushing to remove it. This approach also allows fluoride from toothpaste to reach the sides of the teeth more effectively.
Simply put, brushing without flossing is like cleaning only the surface while ignoring hidden dirt. Both practices are essential for complete oral care.
Conclusion
Maintaining good oral hygiene requires a full routine. When brushing and flossing are practised together every day, they create a strong defence against oral diseases. With proper oral care, you can protect your smile, boost your confidence, and support your overall health for years to come.
Summary not available at this time.
