Let’s face it, many people don’t floss. A hygienist’s mantra might as well be “You must floss daily! Or your teeth will fall out!” How many of us actually heed this advice? Most think, “Come on, that’s not going to happen.”
There is truth to this mantra. Is it an exaggeration? Perhaps. The point is this, brushing alone cannot reach all those “in-between” spots. That’s where floss comes in. Why should you care about those spots? Let’s go back to the basics.
Q: Why do we brush in the first place?
A: It is to remove PLAQUE, a biofilm that forms on your teeth daily. It is white and soft, but sticky.
Q: Why do we need to remove plaque from our teeth?
A: If plaque is not removed, it will soon become hardened by minerals in your saliva. The plaque changes into something called, TARTAR, or CALCULUS (no, not the dreaded math class).
Q: Why should I care if my plaque turns into tartar?
A: While plaque is easily removed by brushing and flossing, tartar is not. Once it is stuck to your teeth, it cannot be removed, except by a dentist or hygienist. Tartar is a breeding ground of bacteria and minerals. Overtime, it causes inflammation, bleeding, and eventually, loss of bone around the teeth if not removed. Most of these symptoms will go unnoticed by the patient, because it doesn’t cause pain in the initial stages.
Q: What does flossing have to do with cavities then?
A: Only floss can reach between the teeth where they touch. Brushing cannot reach these areas. By flossing, you remove any plaque that is stuck there, and thereby prevent any potential cavities that may form.
Q: So if I don’t floss, will I really lose my teeth?
A: This is tough to answer. It depends on how well you brush in general, and how much plaque you build up. But ultimately, not removing plaque leads to tartar buildup, which slowly can lead to bone loss. This leads to loose teeth, which leads to tooth loss. It’s a slow, insidious process and often the patient WON’T know until his/her teeth feel “loose.” By then, it may be too late. That is why regular visits to your dentist are crucial to prevent this from happening!
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