FLOSS!!!

In todays increasingly busy world more and more Melburnians are neglecting their teeth, settling for just brushing their teeth. While this is definitely a large part of maintaining the health and appearance of your teeth what’s more important is getting in between the teeth by flossing.

Necessary for removing hard-to-reach food particles that have been wedged in tight spaces, flossing prevents the build-up of bacteria and plaque caused by decaying food and drink. Only taking a few minutes out of your daily routine flossing will help save your teeth from rotting. As a part of our complete range of dental services the team at Dentist on Waverley are happy to train our clients in correct flossing techniques to make their teeth look and feel better.

If you choose to ignore flossing you can leave yourself open to a number of painful and damaging issues including:

• Food debris piles up between your teeth – even if your teeth appear too close together for this to happen.
• Plaque – a biofilm that develops naturally on teeth – hardens between teeth. This can happen in just 24 hours, and after 10 days, plaque becomes rock-hard and can only be removed by a professional.
• The hardened plaque release toxins that eat away enamel and gum tissue.
• Left to fester, the toxins create cavities and infections in your mouth.
• Bad breath takes over.
• Gum disease sets in

So why should you floss? Let’s recap. Flossing removes food debris and plaque, prevents cavities, prevents bad breath, prevents gum disease, prevents tooth loss, prevents bone loss, prevents all the complications associated with gum disease, including elevated risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, and dementia. Can flossing save your life? Believe it or not daily flossing can lengthen your lifespan by six years!

Not sure about how to floss? Ask for a demonstration from your dentist or hygienist. Don’t be embarrassed; it’s the kind of thing they dream about. You can also watch the video below, and share what you learn with your family members, friends, co-workers, neighbours, and random strangers you meet in elevators and while stopped at traffic lights. Studies show that bacteria from gum disease can spread through saliva, so also share what you’ve learned with the milkman (or milkwoman) and any other persons with whom you swap spittle.

Find out more about the many, many health benefits of flossing by calling us on (03) 9560 2702