A healthy smile is crucial in making good first impressions and a beautiful smile is often the first to capture people’s attention. A recent survey by Kelton Research of 1,001 American adults has found that dental hygiene is the most important factor that affects the way people perceive an individual, ultimately affecting his/her social interactions (and romantic results).
Six in ten people indicated that they were most disturbed if their partner did not brush or floss their teeth. This percentage was much higher than being bothered if their partners that did not wear deodorant (24%), shave, comb their hair or trim their toe nails (below 10%).
Many would assume that brushing alone is sufficient for achieving that bright sparkle, but this is insufficient and will only do 60% of the job. Flossing daily is the only way to ensure that one’s teeth is free from plaque, gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease. Brushes are not able to reach in between individual teeth and this allows microscopic residues of food to remain on the surface of the enamel – allowing bacteria to feed on them and produce sticky substances that eventually become plaque.
Plaque accumulates quickly over a short period of time and going without brushing or flossing for a week can result in deterioration of overall dental condition. Contrary to popular belief, gum disease does not only happen to older people – it can start from an early age and children are definitely not immune from it. It is important to cultivate a habit of flossing from young because the damage done can be costly. Flossing is the first step to take to ensure that this does not happen to your teeth.
Diligent flossing, combined with good brushing and regular dental checkups, will go a long way in helping to ensure that the teeth stay bright and healthy for a lifetime. If light flossing constantly results in the bleeding gums, it could be a sign of gum disease, in which case it is always best to consult a dentist or gum specialist (periodontist).
A great smile can be your biggest asset, so it is always wise to make that extra effort to floss daily.