What Really Happens When You Don’t Floss Correctly? Learn the Serious Potential Consequences
In the United States, it would probably be rare to find someone who didn’t realize they needed to floss at least once a day. When patients visit California Dental Group for their cleaning and examination, we inform them. But not everyone follows through. We get that it can appear to be of secondary importance. This is why we’re going to give you an idea of three negative effects that could happen if you decide not to floss every day.
You might get gum disease
One of the most frequent consequences of not flossing frequently is gum disease. It has a number of unfavorable side effects, including pushing your gums away from your teeth, which creates a place for bacteria to enter. Your teeth may become weaker with time, which may cause not only greater decay but also tooth loss. Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is characterized by swollen, red, and bleeding gums.
Bad breath can occur
One of the most typical side effects of gum disease is bad breath, which is also a problem in and of itself. It frequently has to do with improper brushing or flossing. Food particles that aren’t removed completely from the teeth can stay there for several hours or even days.
The more time you go without brushing, the more they can grow to stink. Bacteria can start digesting that meal and emit their own odors. Finally, since your tongue can contribute to a lot of bad breath, if you don’t brush or clean it, you could be a breeding ground for it.
You might be raising your risk of contracting further illnesses
When your mouth is overrun with bacteria, you breathe it into your lungs. There is a definite correlation between poor dental health and a number of other diseases, ailments, and illnesses, according to studies, and this is one of the reasons for this. For instance, one study found that improving your oral health could cut your risk of developing pneumonia by 40%.
Another study found that those with periodontitis, an advanced type of gum disease, have a threefold increased risk of developing pneumonia compared to those without the condition. The association between periodontitis and diabetes has long been recognized as being significant, but recent study indicates that there may also be a reciprocal interaction between the two. This means that because it produces inflammation, having poor dental health can result in insulin resistance. According to other research, treating periodontitis helps patients with diabetes maintain better control over their condition.
As you can see, flossing may seem like a little task that you may avoid, yet failing to do so might have detrimental effects. Call California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to schedule an appointment if you need to have a dental checkup and/or exam.
