Why are brushing and flossing so important in oral hygiene?
A. Proper brushing and flossing help control dental disease by removing the bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay. Plaque is a film that covers teeth and gums when food is chewed and mixed with saliva. Bacteria are also mixed into the film and this converts some food particles into acid which causes decay in the enamel surface of a tooth. If plaque is not removed it turns into calculus which can turn into the start of periodontal disease. Since we must continually eat, we must also continually control the formation of plaque on our teeth by regular and proper brushing and flossing.
