National Flossing Day is the day after Thanksgiving, which falls on November 26th this year. But why have a day dedicated to flossing? Isn’t that kind of silly?
Not at all. In fact, this particular step in what should be daily at-home care could probably use its own month.
How Many People Floss Regularly?
The first and, thus far, only national study to evaluate the daily flossing habits of Americans found that just around 30% of the population floss daily. Nearly 37% of those surveyed reported flossing occasionally, but not daily, and more than 32% of people reported not flossing at all. This is bad news for teeth and gums.
Flossing removes plaque, food particles, and debris from in between the teeth and just underneath the gum line. This helps to achieve a few things:
- It works to prevent bacteria from building up
- It helps to eliminate some of the sources of halitosis
- It reduces risks of tartar in between teeth
Plaque takes around 48 hours to harden into tartar. Tartar not only causes tooth discoloration and aids in bad breath, but it also holds acids tight to the surface of teeth, forms a protective shell over bacteria, and increases risks for infection, decay, and disease. As if these things weren’t enough, tartar also increases the amount of time you need to spend getting your teeth cleaned during routine visits as it is much harder to remove than standard plaque.
Preventing tartar buildup alone is reason enough to floss. Add on its work to prevent decay, infection, and gum disease, and it becomes clear why daily flossing is a habit you should absolutely adopt.
Flossing should be done every day, at least once, before you brush your teeth. Flossing before you brush helps to remove a larger amount of plaque and particulate. If you struggle with traditional string floss, consider a water flosser or a floss pick, or ask us for tips and instructions during your next routine visit. We are here to help you optimize your oral health and would be happy to assist you in developing the best at-home routine for your needs.
Contact Us Today!
If it has been longer than six months since your last cleaning, give us a call at 801-355-5385 to schedule one today. Located in Salt Lake City, the family dentists at Warr Dental welcome patients from all surrounding communities.