While brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is absolutely essential for good oral health, there are certain areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. This is why interdental cleaning has a big part to play when it comes to keeping our teeth and gums healthy, removing plaque and trapped food that if left may lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
1. Reduce the risk of bleeding gums.
Many people who suffer with sensitive or bleeding gums may be tempted to avoid interdental cleaning for fear of making their bleeding gums worse. But in fact, interdental cleaning can improve the health of your gums, thereby helping to prevent them from bleeding. The fact that your gums are bleeding is the first sign for gum disease developing (which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK), making it even more important that you continue with your interdental cleaning.
2. Reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Food particles can become caught in between teeth in areas that brushing alone will not reach. If left this food will begin to be broken down by the bacteria in you mouth leading to gum disease, bad breath and tooth decay. Interdental cleaning helps to remove any food trapped between teeth, keeping your teeth looking their best.
3. Other Health Benefits
Daily flossing does not just keep your teeth healthy – practicing good oral hygiene contributes to your health in other ways, too. In fact, there is an increasing amount of evidence linking periodontal disease to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, strokes, poor pregnancy outcomes and even dementia. Looking after the health of your gums through a good oral hygiene routine is even more important than ever.
What should I do first?
Brushing may come before flossing in the dictionary, but it should not when it comes to our oral hygiene routine. Interdental cleaning loosens bacteria and food debris from between the teeth, which allows brushing to be much more successful at removing plaque. The fluoride in your toothpaste is also better able to do its job in protecting your teeth if the plaque particles are removed first.
If you would like to find out more about how interdental cleaning can help to improve your oral health, do not hesitate to contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 to book an appointment with our hygienist today!
