Can Flossing Regularly Prevent Bad Breath?

Do you regularly brush your teeth but lately have noticed you suffer from bad breath? If you do not understand where the odor is coming from, then you might want to ask yourself, when was the last time you flossed your teeth? Yes, flossing regularly can prevent bad breath, and skipping the process of flossing can quickly lead to bad breath no matter how many times per day you brush your teeth.

If you have started to notice bad breath, then you might want to contact Dr. Salvator La Mastra at Hamlett & La Mastra, DDS in Dallas, TX to discuss your oral health. Dr. La Mastra and his staff will go over the importance of daily dental flossing and show you several techniques that will effectively help remove odor-causing plaque buildup from between your teeth. You can also schedule a full dental cleaning with Dr. La Mastra.

How flossing reduces bad breath

You should floss your teeth twice a day or after every meal to help prevent bad breath. Flossing can reduce bad breath in the following ways:

• Controls plaque buildup between your teeth

• Removes and fights bacteria in the gums between your teeth

• Lifts away stuck food particles that can become trapped between your teeth and lead to bad breath, gum disease, or dental decay.

What causes bad breath?

Bad breath occurs from bacteria in the mouth that forms due to residual food particles. The bacteria start to break down into acids, which quickly release gases that cause bad breath. Flossing helps disrupt the bacterial growth between your teeth. Flossing also stimulates the blood flow in your gums, which helps fight bacteria. The flossing loosens the stuck food particles that become wedged between the teeth so you can lift them away and rinse them out.

Regularly brushing and flossing are a part of good oral health and will help prevent gum diseases, dental decay, and bad breath.

Flossing is a part of good oral hygiene

Brushing alone will not effectively remove plaque and food from between your teeth. You need to use dental floss every time you brush. The floss will reach between the teeth where the bristles of your toothbrush cannot. The floss can also dip below the gumline to loosen bacteria and food particles so you can more easily rinse them out.

Every time you floss, you disrupt the growth of bacteria that flourishes between your teeth, and you further stimulate blood flow to help maintain your gum’s health. Daily flossing helps reduce or remove bad breath while helping to maintain your gum health.

After flossing, you should drink plenty of water to help reduce bad breath odor. A healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits will also promote healthier oral health.

Schedule a dental appointment today

To combat bad breath, you should floss daily and schedule a dental appointment for a full mouth exam and cleaning. Contact Dr. Salvator La Mastra at Hamlett & La Mastra, DDS in Dallas, TX to schedule an oral evaluation. You can discuss your oral health and how flossing can reduce or get rid of bad breath. Ideally, you should schedule visits every six months with Dr. La Mastra for a full oral cleaning, flossing, and examination.