May the Floss be With You to Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk

If daily flossing is not your thing, you have plenty of company: The vast majority of Americans, 70 percent, don’t floss every day either.

The stats are nothing to smile about.

Flossing has undisputed health benefits and should be part of your daily oral hygiene routine to help reduce your risk of oral cancer.

Why Floss?

Done properly, flossing removes food particles that stick to teeth and create layers of bacteria that cause inflammation and gum disease. Over time, these layers, called plaque, harden into tartar that wears away at gums and teeth. Chronic inflammations and irritation may result in bone loss and even contribute to the development of oral cancer.

Why is Brushing Not Enough?

Brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time is a must for healthy smiles.

Brushing your teeth

• Removes plaque to lower the risk of cavities and gum disease
• Prevents surface stains on your teeth from coffee, certain foods, tobacco and alcohol and 
• Freshens your breath by eliminating bacteria.

  But even the most meticulous brushing can’t get into all the tiny nooks and crevices between your teeth, which is where flossing comes in.

  Flossing can clean up to 40% of a tooth’s surface, reaching places your toothbrush can’t. Furthermore, unlike brushing alone, regular flossing is essential to

• Reduce irritation, inflammation and erosion of the gums and
• Help with the early detection of oral issues like unusual lumps, lesions or changes in the oral tissues.

That’s why you want to floss at least once a day.

Floss is available waxed or unwaxed, in various flavors and as dental tape. Pick whichever you like best.


The Connection Between Flossing and Reduced Risk of Oral Cancer

Flossing is indirectly associated with a reduced risk of oral cancer rather than a clear cause-and-effect relationship. It’s not as simple as saying, “If you floss, you won’t get oral cancer,” or “If you don’t floss, you will get oral cancer;” neither statement is accurate.

However, researchers discovered that poor oral health and hygiene promoted chronic inflammation and the development of certain types of oral cancers. 

Let’s pick that apart.

Poor oral health and hygiene refer to dental conditions and habits such as

• Tooth decay
• Bleeding gums, often a sign of gingivitis (mild gum inflammation)
• Periodontitis (advanced gum inflammation that can damage the jaw bones and cause tooth loss)
• Infrequent or careless brushing and flossing
• Irregular or no dental check-ups and professional cleanings.

In other words, if you neglect your smile, you could be at higher risk of certain types of oral cancer. Other factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption and the human papillomavirus (HPV) also contribute to the development of oral cancers.

On the flip side, good oral hygiene promotes good oral health, reducing your overall risk for certain diseases, including oral cancer. Flossing plays a significant part.

To keep and maintain your healthiest smile possible:

1. Brush at least twice daily for 2 minutes each
2. Floss once every day and
3. See the dentist regularly (usually twice a year) for preventive check-ups and professional cleanings.

Good Dental Insurance Promotes Good Dental Habits

While brushing and flossing are highly personal, we can help with No. 3: Seeing the dentist regularly.

Delta Dental of Arkansas makes access to dental care affordable and convenient, with competitive rates for individuals, families and groups, and one of the state’s largest networks of providers. Check us out.

We can’t wait to become the champions of your smile.