Brushing your teeth twice a day is a great way to prevent cavities, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) and countless dentists in San Diego, California. That shared assertion makes sense in light of the many oral and physical health benefits that can arise from doing so. According to dentists and the ADA, brushing one’s teeth for just two minutes twice a day helps remove food particles and plaque from teeth, both of which can cause cavities. While brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste is a good thing, it, alone, is not a magic bullet for fending off cavities and safeguarding our oral health, say dentists with La Costa Dental.
Dentists With La Costa Dental and Dentists in La Jolla Explain Why Flossing Is Just as Important as Brushing Your Teeth
While a toothbrush can do a remarkable job at keeping the front surface of our teeth clean, it doesn’t do nearly as good of a job when it comes to cleaning the tiny spaces in-between teeth. And this is why dentists in San Diego, dentists in La Jolla, and dentists throughout San Diego County recommend and are huge proponents of flossing regularly. According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and backed by dentists in La Jolla and San Diego, approximately 95% of Americans have experienced a cavity at one time or another. And more than 25% currently have untreated tooth decay because of that cavity.
While exact data is not available, many of those cavities were interproximal cavities or cavities in between teeth. According to nearly all dentists in San Diego County, regular flossing would have lowered their chances of developing at least these particular types of cavities. And this is because flossing does an excellent job at removing bacteria, plaque, and food debris that often gets trapped between teeth and ultimately gives way to cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. That said, fending off cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease are only a few benefits of daily flossing.
Dentists in San Diego Discuss Additional Benefits That Come From Flossing Like a Boss
Along with reducing the risk of cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease, regular flossing, according to dentists with La Costa Dental and dentists in La Jolla, can help contribute to the following:
Fresher breath – For those unaware, food, plaque, and tartar can all cause bad breath when trapped between teeth. Flossing away such debris leaves teeth looking cleaner and simultaneously puts an end to halitosis or bad breath.
Improved cardiovascular health – Our oral health and physical health are interconnected. According to a 2019 study published in Sage Journals, individuals who flossed regularly and took good care of their oral health were much less likely to suffer from atrial fibrillation or heart failure.
Bottom Line
In summary, flossing, in addition to brushing twice per day, can lead to better oral and physical health. And it only takes a few minutes. Bearing that in mind, if you’re not already flossing regularly, there is no time like the present to get started. And if it has been a while since your last dental appointment, consider scheduling an appointment with La Costa Dental, Solana Family Dental, or any of the many other dental groups in San Diego County today.
