5 Things That Can Happen If You Don't Floss Every Day

Although many might agree that flossing every day is somewhat irritating, the activity does the mouth a world of good. Dental floss has a number of excellent effects, and not flossing every day can lead to some things that are best avoided.

1. Yellowed Teeth

The first effect of infrequent floss is the yellowing of teeth as a result of bacterial build up. As much as frequent brushing of teeth is important to a healthy, white smile, dental floss helps just as much, because tooth brushes can't reach between the teeth anywhere near as well as properly applied floss can. So skipping days or not using floss at all can darken the teeth more than most might think.

2. Bleeding Gums

Leaving the bacteria that builds up between the teeth between the teeth is bad for the gums, and can result in bleeding. This bleeding can occur while eating, brushing teeth, or when floss finally does make contact; essentially, any rough contact with the gums starts to cause pain. This is a result of the unhealthy bacteria that can begin to inhabit the gums when they aren't forced away through constant application of toothpaste and floss, and can quickly lead to gingivitis.

3. Bad Breath

Also referred to as halitosis, bad breath can be a persistent symptom of poor oral hygiene and, although many might not think it, of infrequent use of floss. While most cases of bad breath are solved through simple brushing, any food that remains between the teeth is still food stuck in the mouth, and can therefore still be omitting an odor that seemingly refuses to go away. The cleanest breath possible is a result of complete oral hygiene - this includes using dental floss!

4. Tooth Decay and Loss

Gingivitis, which is a common result of tartar building up between the teeth, can cause the gums to recede into the mouth. This, combined with the buildup pressing against the tooth, can result in the actual decay and eventual loss of some teeth. It is suggested that the average adult in America has lost as many as seven teeth as a result of insufficient flossing - or none at all.

5. Cavities

Part of the process of tooth decay means that cavities are significantly more likely to develop while food is left between the teeth; after all, floss is a part of good oral hygiene. While most are willing to dismiss cavities, since they can be filled easily, this is often the start of a difficult process whereby the tooth gradually becomes weaker and it decays further and receives more fillings. This often leads to the aforementioned loss of teeth.

As melodramatic as it may sound, not using dental floss frequently can result in surprisingly disastrous consequences for oral hygiene. From the relatively mild yellow teeth to the significant loss of teeth, there are a great many reasons to floss regularly and avoid the harmful potential of not monitoring and taking care of the mouth as much as possible.

Cute Smile Dental is a leading Los Angeles area dentist located in Reseda offering cosmetic/preventative dentistry, orthodontist services and periodontist treatments. Please visit: http://cutesmiledental.net for more information.

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