{"id":190,"date":"2019-12-22T15:10:38","date_gmt":"2019-12-22T15:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zumbrofamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=190"},"modified":"2020-01-16T15:11:04","modified_gmt":"2020-01-16T15:11:04","slug":"how-flossing-works-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zumbrofamilydental.com\/blog\/how-flossing-works-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is Flossing Such a Big Deal?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Happy<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing quite as uniquely irritating as having a bit\nof food stuck in your teeth. Sometimes, you simply can\u2019t dislodge that stubborn\npopcorn shell or tiny bit of steak without some help. It\u2019s a wonderful feeling\nonce you finally use a toothpick or floss to get rid of it! Floss can be a\ngreat tool for removing bits of stuck food between your teeth, but do you use\nit regularly? Most of us have heard that it\u2019s a key part of keeping good oral\nhealth. But if you brush twice a day and regularly see your preventive\ndentist<\/a> for checkups, is flossing really helping you to fight plaque? Let\u2019s\nbreak down how flossing works and discover why it\u2019s so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Plaque and Tarter 101<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that collects on and\nbetween your teeth. If you\u2019ve ever run your tongue over your teeth and noticed\nthat they felt \u201cfuzzy\u201d or unsmooth, you\u2019re feeling the plaque that\u2019s built up\non them. If plaque is allowed to stay in place long enough, it hardens into a\ntough, yellowish substance known as tarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both plaque and tarter contain bacteria that turns into acid\nwhen interacting with sugar from food. This acid can eat away at your enamel to\ncause cavities or attack your gums and cause inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isn\u2019t Brushing Enough?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each of your teeth has five surfaces: the front, the back,\nthe chewing surface, and two sides. A toothbrush does a great job of cleaning\noff the first three, but the bristles can\u2019t reach the tiny spaces between your\nteeth. Dentists estimate that brushing can only clear out about 60% of the\nplaque in your mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flossing picks up where your toothbrush leaves off. When you\nslide that waxy thread between your teeth, it dislodges all the plaque and\nbacteria that have accumulated there, just like a piece of stuck food. This is\nthe only way to remove the remaining 40% of harmful plaque and bacteria in your\nmouth! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens if I Don\u2019t Floss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t floss, plaque and tarter quickly build up in\nthose hard to reach places. The harmful bacteria they contain can infect your\ngums and cause periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. The first stage\nis called gingivitis, and usually only causes sensitive gums that bleed easily.\nHowever, if the infection worsens and reaches your jawbone, it can advance into\nperiodontitis, which can cause:<\/p>\n\n\n\n