Why does flossing help your gums

Floss vs. Gum Disease On average, one in eight adults in the United States has some form of gum disease. And it's not just older people. Gum disease can start at a very early age, especially if you don't have a proper oral care routine, which includes flossing every day.

Flossing and Gingivitis Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It is also the most treatable. Flossing is a step to keeping your gums healthy. Smart Prevention Starts with Floss It's actually pretty simple—flossing is a step that can help prevent the signs and symptoms of gingivitis by removing plaque. Combined with brushing and using a rinse daily, you could keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life.

Losing weight can be tough. And while there's no study or direct evidence that links dental health to successful dieting, there is anecdotal evidence to support the idea that brushing and flossing after eating can make you less tempted to snack. It's not always convenient to brush your teeth in the middle of the day. When you do reach for a healthy snack, keep in mind that some popular choices, like pretzels or raisins and other dried fruits, are good for your health but have a tendency to stick between your teeth.

Dried fruits are also high in sugar, which can cause tooth decay along with bacteria. But the right flossing products can make flossing easy and painless. We get swelling and soreness, and when we squeeze the sliver out it bleeds. This is the body's way of healing, and the same is true for the gums.

We might have swelling, soreness, or bleeding in the gums, especially after flossing. This is how our body's inflammation response works. Much like the sliver in your finger, your body is trying to irrigate the food, plaque, and bacteria in your gums with this inflammation and bleeding.

When we mechanically stimulate our gums by flossing, it triggers this inflammation response. A lot of my patients tell me that they don't floss because it makes their gums bleed. You may have heavier bleeding at first, but the more you floss, the less bleeding you will have. There are many benefits to flossing, and once you work it into your routine, the time it takes you to floss goes down, and your mouth and gums will be healthier, causing them to no longer bleed.

Not flossing allows harmful plaque and bacteria to grow in the mouth. Some bacteria can lead to cavities over time. However, gingivitis or gum inflammation can develop in the mouth from plaque and bacteria after only a few days.

Gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease over time causing bone loss to the bone that holds the teeth in place. Image source, Thinkstock. Is there evidence to back up claims that flossing is good for you? Why do dentists say flossing is good for you? What does the evidence say? Image source, PA. For years dentists have advised flossing your teeth. When did recommendations for flossing start? Image source, AP.

Flossing incorrectly can cause damage to your teeth and gums. Is flossing harmful? Is cleaning between your teeth beneficial? It is effective in cleaning areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. Even though your teeth might seem spotlessly clean, flossing provides a thorough removal of food particles and plaque that is hard to get to.

Although brushing your teeth twice a day is paramount to your oral hygiene, it may not be enough to protect you from gum disease. However, combining brushing and flossing considerably increases your chances of fighting this disease.

Contrary to common belief, if you experience bleeding gums or sensitivity, flossing does not make the bleeding worse. It may take a period of up to a week for the bleeding to stop. Flossing helps to restore the health of your gums even if you were inconsistent in the past. You can start improving the health of your gums at any time using dental floss. Flossing helps in removing plaque that is between your teeth. If the plaque is not removed regularly, it can harden into a substance known as calculus or tartar.

This substance collects along the gum line and can eventually result in gingivitis.