Ft Lauderdale Family, Cosmetic, and Sedation Dentistry Blog | Dr. Thomas O'Neil
Monday, November 02, 2009
Why We Ask You to Floss
Do you floss? How often do you floss? These are common questions that we ask you when you are sitting in the dental chair. But did you ever stop to think about why we ask you again and again to floss?
We encourage you to floss for the same reason we encourage you to brush-to reduce the amount of bacteria that live in your mouth. Millions of microscopic bacteria call your mouth “home” because they like to feed off the food particles left on your teeth.
These unappreciative guests produce acid as a result of their eating frenzies and can get through your enamel, ultimately causing decay.
Flossing removes any bacteria build-up-also known as plaque-left behind in tiny spaces after brushing. The American Dental Association recommends you floss your teeth once a day.
So what happens when you don’t floss? Plaque build-up left in between your teeth can eventually harden into a substance called tartar. Tartar cannot be removed by simply brushing your teeth.
Over time, tartar can produce dangerous bacteria that can lead to a condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis, if left untreated, can then lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a condition where bacteria get deep into your gums and eventually your bone structure supporting your teeth. You can guess what happens next, loss of teeth.
We are happy to check all the teeth you plan to keep here at our office in Tamarac, Fl.
By Katie and Stacy
We encourage you to floss for the same reason we encourage you to brush-to reduce the amount of bacteria that live in your mouth. Millions of microscopic bacteria call your mouth “home” because they like to feed off the food particles left on your teeth.
These unappreciative guests produce acid as a result of their eating frenzies and can get through your enamel, ultimately causing decay.
Flossing removes any bacteria build-up-also known as plaque-left behind in tiny spaces after brushing. The American Dental Association recommends you floss your teeth once a day.
So what happens when you don’t floss? Plaque build-up left in between your teeth can eventually harden into a substance called tartar. Tartar cannot be removed by simply brushing your teeth.
Over time, tartar can produce dangerous bacteria that can lead to a condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis, if left untreated, can then lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a condition where bacteria get deep into your gums and eventually your bone structure supporting your teeth. You can guess what happens next, loss of teeth.
We are happy to check all the teeth you plan to keep here at our office in Tamarac, Fl.
By Katie and Stacy
posted by The office of Dr. Thomas O'Neil at 6:39 PM
7707 N. University Dr., Suite 201
Tamarac, FL 33321
Call Dr. O’Neil at 800-458-9140 or fill out an online contact form so we can get in touch with you.
