{"id":203,"date":"2018-05-11T17:26:25","date_gmt":"2018-05-11T17:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.groyfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/?p=203"},"modified":"2026-04-05T01:25:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T01:25:49","slug":"why-flossing-is-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leesburgdowntowndental.com\/blog\/why-flossing-is-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s Why Your Dentist Thinks Flossing is Important"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Are you a flossing family? In my years of dental practice, I’ve noticed that some families floss while others do not. I want to encourage you and each member of your family to floss at least once a day. As a dentist in Leesburg, I am committed to helping you enjoy the best oral and general health possible. Flossing<\/a> is a way to improve both.<\/p>

Flossing is Not About the Food Stuck Between Teeth<\/h2>

If you always thought that flossing was important in order to remove food trapped between teeth after you eat, then you only get half credit. That thin stretch of floss can be very helpful when an irritating particle is stuck. However, the real benefit of flossing is that it removes plaque.<\/p>

Plaque is a clear biofilm that builds up on our teeth every day. If not removed, the bacteria in plaque can lead to a whole host of problems. Chief among them is gum disease, a bacterial infection that is initially marked by swollen and bleeding gums. Left untreated, the disease could advance, eventually destroying gums and the supporting bone structure underneath. In fact, gum disease is the leading reason behind tooth loss among American adults.<\/p>

The Oral-Systemic Connection<\/h2>

If gum disease only affected your oral health, then that would be serious enough. However, gum disease has been linked to a number of systemic diseases and illnesses. In fact, CBSNews.com<\/a> reported that flossing might add up to 6.4 years to your life expectancy!<\/p>

Why? Because flossing reduces the incidence of gum disease. And gum disease has been linked to a number of diseases and illnesses including:<\/p>