If you aren’t flossing your teeth daily you are missing an essential step in maintaining good oral health. Brushing twice a day and visiting the dentist regularly isn’t enough. Here are 5 reasons you should incorporate flossing into your daily oral health routine.

1. Your breath will smell fresher.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is an unpleasant experience. Without flossing, odor forming bacteria can build up between the teeth. This can cause a bad taste in your mouth and foul-smelling breath. If you want the confidence of having fresh breath daily flossing is a must.

2. Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease.

When we eat, bacteria builds up in our mouth and can get lodged between our teeth. This buildup of bacteria causes plaque, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. If left alone, plaque can harden and leave the cavity-causing film stuck to your teeth. Flossing daily can help remove bacteria forming food particles and prevent plaque from forming on the teeth which reduces your risk of gum disease.

3. Flossing can stop your gums from bleeding.

Many people complain that when they floss their gums bleed. This is a common reason why some people don’t floss as much as they should. However, the reason gums bleed when flossing is actually because the teeth aren’t being flossed enough! When bacteria builds up around the gums, it causes inflammation and triggers the body to send blood to the infected area. Removing bacteria more frequently will prevent the body from triggering a reaction.

4. You will have less cavities.

Most cavities are preventable with good oral health care. Flossing regularly can remove bacteria from between the teeth and prevent cavities from forming. If you don’t like going under the drill, flossing is an easy way to make your dental checkups more enjoyable.

5. Your smile will be brighter.

Regular flossing is a great way to enhance your mouth’s appearance. Removing buildup between your teeth regularly can prevent unwanted staining. This helps improve the brightness of your smile. Pair this with a healthy set of gums and you have a recipe for a show stopping smile.