7 Terrifying Things That Will Happen To Your Mouth If You Don’t Floss

For whatever reason, people don’t seem to love flossing. Hey, we get it. It takes a little extra time, it’s not always comfortable, and it can be difficult to reach all the way to the back of your mouth. But it’s our job to remind you that flossing really is important and needs to play a central role in your oral health routine.

Our dentists recommend that you floss daily. Flossing every day will dislodge pesky food particles and will help prevent plaque buildup in places your toothbrush can’t reach. Our dentists in Richmond, VA also recommend that you floss thoroughly, which only takes about 1-2 minutes of your day.

What Happens If I Don’t Floss?

Choosing not to floss could have a bigger impact on your overall health that you realize. Sure, you may experience some buildup between your teeth and might even get a few cavities, but there are also other things that you need to be concerned about if you choose to forego the dental floss. To help you understand the risks, we have compiled a list of 7 terrifying things that will happen to your mouth if you don’t floss.

1. Bleeding Gums

Healthy gum tissue does not bleed. If your gums bleed when you brush, floss or eat, then there is a strong chance that you may have gingivitis or periodontitis. Both of these conditions are types of gum disease.

2. Tartar Buildup

Unlike plaque, which can be tamed by brushing and flossing, tartar is a very hard substance that must be removed by your dentist. Tartar is basically plaque that has been left untreated and has solidified. It’s not cool.

3. Halitosis

Neglecting to floss may be the culprit for bad breath that you can’t seem to get rid of. (Leftover food particles from last weeks lunch are bound to not smell so great, right?)

4. Premature Tooth Loss

Gum disease causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, leaving pockets of space for bacteria to grow and weaken the tooth structure. This can be dangerous, because eventually gum disease will lead to premature tooth loss (as well as a number of other problems).

5. Problems During Pregnancy

Controlling the bacteria in your body is especially important during pregnancy. Bacteria in the mouth can be absorbed into the blood stream of the mother and baby, resulting in low birth weight babies.

6. Yellow Teeth

Want to maintain a white smile? Then skipping the floss is not a good idea. Removing the buildup between the teeth helps your smile appear whiter and cleaner, which are both positives in our book!

7. Cavities

Bacteria that is not disturbed will eventually lead to tooth decay (cavities).  Cavities are problematic not just because they require fillings, but because they disrupt the original tooth structure. Once a tooth has a filling or two, it slowly becomes weaker, leading to more necessary dental work down the road.

Conclusion

Considering all of the terrifying things that will happen to your mouth if you don’t floss, we think everyone can agree that flossing is worth 1-2 minutes of their time each day. If you need help learning how to floss properly, or if you still aren’t convinced that flossing is for you, we hope you will contact our Richmond, VA dental office!