Flossing is important whether you’re busy working a 40 hour work week or relaxing using that PTO on vacation!
By regularly flossing, you are preventing plaque and bacteria from being able to stick between the surfaces of your teeth which over time can lead to a cavity or gum disease. If you don’t clean in-between the teeth with a traditional floss or a floss pick the sticky plaque (containing bacteria) can harden and cannot be removed without professional care, which is why it is so important to prevent this! In turn, this can cause greater financial stress because you may have increased risk for cavities or may need more professional dental cleanings.
So, whether you are on vacation or not, don’t skip a day! If you have a good floss routine going, be sure to pack your floss with you. Now, if you skip one day it won’t necessarily hurt you, but it won’t benefit you either. By skipping one day, you will be more inclined to skip another and this is what we don’t want happening! If you have skipped a few days and notice that your gums are bleeding this is the body’s regular inflammation response signaling that you need to get your flossing routine back on track. The bleeding resembles a sign of early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) and is reversible! With effective oral hygiene (brushing for two minutes and flossing at least once a day) your body will react accordingly and cease this inflammation response and the bleeding will stop over time.
At Carlyle Dental, we understand flossing might not be your favorite activity, but try to make it a habit keeping up with it daily even if you are on vacation! It is understandable on vacation to have your schedule or routine become a little out of whack, but do make sure that you are at least flossing once a day ensuring that your mouth and gums are staying healthy. If you would like suggestions of what kind of floss we recommend to our patients, please contact us!