The Importance of Flossing

According to Dr. Alcantara, the importance of flossing equals or even overrides that of brushing. She states that patients who don’t floss have a much higher incidence of dental cavities in her practice. This is backed up by one clinical study in Evidence Based Dentistry 2006;7(3):68, where 808 children aged 4 to 13 years old were followed for 1.7 years and underwent professional flossing on school days. The study demonstrated a 40% reduction in cavities in children who underwent the flossing. Dr. Alcantara recommends brushing twice a day and flossing once a day to help prevent cavities. Flossing removes plaque from between your teeth, which is a sticking coating of living bacteria, carbohydrates and acid resulting from the digestion of these carbohydrates by the bacteria. If plaque is not removed, you can develop infected gums (gingivitis), cavities, and the plaque can harden into a stony hard, difficult-to-remove deposit called tartar. In addition, having a dry mouth as a result of diabetes or certain medications makes flossing even more of a priority as destructive bacteria thrive when there is no saliva to wash them away. So, floss, everybody!

P.S. Fun fact: where do you think people get more cavities, in the teeth in the top of your mouth or the bottom? Answer: the top of your mouth, because there is less saliva. Your saliva pools in the bottom of your mouth by gravity, and continuously flushes and bathes your bottom teeth, washing away bacteria.