{"id":86,"date":"2018-03-03T16:15:02","date_gmt":"2018-03-03T16:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esparzafamilydentistry.com\/blog\/?p=86"},"modified":"2018-05-03T16:22:14","modified_gmt":"2018-05-03T16:22:14","slug":"dentist-in-virginia-beach-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.esparzafamilydentistry.com\/blog\/dentist-in-virginia-beach-7\/","title":{"rendered":"A Reminder from Your Dentist: Flossing Every Day Is Important!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"gettingLots of adults hate flossing. Maybe you find it uncomfortable, tedious, or time-consuming. And since you\u2019ve gotten away for years without flossing regularly, you might not have any intention of adopting the habit. But is that really a smart idea? No. Flossing every day is of vital importance to your oral health. Your dentist in Virginia Beach explains why.<\/p>\n

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Brushing Doesn\u2019t Cover Everything<\/h2>\n

When you brush your teeth, you clean away bacteria, plaque, and food particles that may lead to cavities and bad breath. The fluoride in the toothpaste even helps to remineralize your enamel and keep your smile nice and strong. However, brushing isn\u2019t a one-step route to a healthy smile<\/p>\n

The bristles of your brush can\u2019t reach the extremely tight spaces between your teeth. In fact, brushing may miss up to 40 percent of the surface area of your teeth! As bacteria accumulates and forms plaque in those spaces, your risk of developing cavities and gingivitis increases.<\/p>\n

What About the Naysayers?<\/h2>\n

There are some folks out there who claim that flossing isn\u2019t important; this opinion spread like wildfire after an Associated Press article claimed that the medical benefits of flossing were unproven. But let\u2019s take a moment to talk about the facts.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s absolutely true that flossing removes plaque between the teeth, and plaque contains countless types of bacteria that can harm your chompers and lead to gum disease. The claim that flossing doesn\u2019t help may arise from the fact that not everyone who flosses uses the proper technique. One study from 2006<\/a> found that children who had their teeth professionally flossed five days a week had a 40 percent decreased risk of developing cavities, while those who flossed at home didn\u2019t experience any decrease in their risk of tooth decay.<\/p>\n

How to Floss Properly<\/h2>\n

If you ever have questions about how to floss, please ask your dentist<\/a> or dental hygienist for help. They\u2019ll be happy to share their knowledge with you and help you to become an expert flosser. In the meantime, follow these guidelines:<\/p>\n