Health - Wellness
Do You Really Need To
Floss Daily?
By ZRINKA PETERS
Among the tasks that we shove to the bottom of our to-do lists, flossing our teeth is right up there with the worst of them. We dislike flossing so much that almost 30% of us never do it, and another 37% don't floss daily, as we should.
"Brushing alone doesn't go between the teeth or under the gum, where food particles get stuck,” Timothy Chase, DMD told WellGood. “If you don't floss, you leave food particles between the teeth and under the gums that can cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath."
Left alone, bacteria that multiply on the surface of teeth can turn into plaque, which hardens into tartar, which can wear away at gums, teeth, and bone over time. Flossing is an important part of good oral hygiene but only if it's done properly — don't rush, use plenty of floss, and gently "hug" each tooth instead of just moving the floss straight up and down.