Can Flossing Make You Sick?
Answer: No, flossing does not make you sick
Over the years there’s been some discussion about whether you need to floss. From research, it is clear that flossing is one of the most important things you should do in maintaining optimum oral health. We agree with the American Dental Association’s recommendation to clean in between teeth with floss or another interdental cleaner once a day.
Despite the recommendation, a survey found that only 30% of Americans floss daily and about 32% admit to not flossing at all. While we don’t know why so many Americans have decided to toss the floss, we do know that flossing helps to keep you healthy, not make you sick. With regular flossing and brushing, as well as regular teeth cleaning and dental check-up appointments, you can reduce not only oral health issues but also improve your overall health.
In this article, Hamby Family Dental, a dentist in Fuquay-Varina NC, is taking a closer look at why you need to floss, what happens when you don’t floss regularly, and some flossing techniques you can try to maintain your oral health.
Why You Should Floss
If you are not flossing regularly, or not flossing at all, you are setting the stage for bacteria to proliferate and possibly move to the bloodstream. Many oral health problems can occur when you aren’t flossing. Best practices in dental care indicate that to avoid bacteria from getting into the bloodstream and causing health problems, you should floss regularly.
Removes Plaque
You may think that brushing your teeth is enough to keep your mouth healthy. But, after you eat, particles of food are left behind on your teeth. This leads to plaque forming. Plaque can cause bad breath, teeth staining, tartar, gum disease, and even losing teeth if you don’t take care of it. Flossing gets to the plaque that forms between your teeth and underneath your gum line. Your toothbrush can’t get there, but floss can.
Prevents Gum Disease
If you haven’t flossed in a while or have irregular habits, this information may help you get back to flossing regularly. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, it can lead to gum disease because Streptococcus bacteria build up in your mouth. Gum disease leads to sore gums that bleed, allowing bacteria to get into the bloodstream.
Researchers found that once Streptococcus bacteria get into the bloodstream, they use a protein to take blood platelets and force them to clump together. Platelet clumping can lead to small blood clots, inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the brain and heart, and growths on the heart valves.
Reduces Cavities
Cavities can develop in the crevices between teeth, and flossing helps remove food particles and plaque that lead to cavities. Not only can cavities form on one tooth, but they can also develop in the crevices between your teeth. This is the reason why flossing in between your teeth cleans out the unwanted bacteria is important. A cavity between two teeth can lead to even more damage to your teeth and lead to more pain, dentist visits, and money spent.
Improves Overall Health
Regular flossing can help improve overall health by maintaining good oral health. Studies have shown a link between poor oral health and other health issues like heart disease and diabetes. Research has shown that heart disease is more prevalent in those with poor oral health. According to Harvard Medical School, researchers believe that the bacteria infecting the gums could cause blood vessel damage in other areas of the body. Another theory about the connection is that the bacteria from gum disease are causing an immune system response that is damaging other areas of the body like the heart.
Freshens Breath
Food particles trapped between teeth can contribute to bad breath. Flossing helps remove these particles and bacteria, leading to a cleaner mouth and fresher breath. By eliminating these particles and bacteria, flossing helps maintain fresher breath and a cleaner mouth.
Reduces Bleeding Gums
By not flossing regularly or at all, plaque and tartar accumulate around the gum line and result in gingivitis. Gingivitis can cause many oral health issues. One, in particular, is bleeding gums. When you floss and remove the bacteria that causes plaque, it removes the irritants that are causing your gums to bleed.
The Connection Between Oral Health and General Health
Many adults and children don’t realize how their oral health impacts so many other areas of their general health. While gum disease, bad breath, and tooth loss are some of the more commonly known consequences, not brushing properly and ignoring recommendations to floss can affect other parts of the body.
When your oral microbiome is off balance and unhealthy, your overall health can be directly affected. Oral microbiome refers to microorganisms in the human mouth including bacteria, fungi, and viruses that naturally live in your mouth. This complex environment plays a fundamental role in oral health and can affect your overall health.
An unhealthy oral microbiome can lead to:
- Breathing in pathogens from periodontal disease
- Brain abscesses
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
For more information on this topic as well as ways to improve your oral health, see our article “The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health.”
Proper Flossing Techniques:
- Start by wrapping the floss around your both of your index fingers.
- Gently guide the floss between your teeth, using a rubbing motion.
- When you get down to your gums, curve the floss and slide it under the gum line.
- Rub the floss against the tooth, while going up and down.
- Repeat between all of your teeth.
If you’re not a big floss fan, there are some alternatives to traditional dental floss:
- Water flossers
- Air flossers
- Interdental brushes
- Pre-threaded floss
No matter what you choose, the important thing is that you are still flossing.
Request a Dentist Appointment Today with Hamby Family Dental Center
Our team at Hamby Family Dental Center can guide you with reasons why you should floss and tips for flossing effectively. Contact Hamby Family Dental Center by calling 919-552-2431 or filling out the form below. You can also schedule your appointment online using the form below. Let us help you improve your oral health.