Flossing 101: How You Can Help Prevent Gum Disease and Gingivitis

It's a fact. Flossing daily (combined with brushing and a rinse) helps protect against gingivitis by removing plaque and food particles, keeping your teeth and gums healthy, while giving you a beautiful smile.

Flossing is essential to your smile's health, no matter what your age. And yes, even kids should floss to get used to a healthy oral-care routine. You might be asking, "Why is flossing so important?" Here's the answer: By flossing, you remove plaque and food particles in between your teeth and gums, and help prevent gingivitis.

Floss vs. Gum Disease

On average, one in eight adults in the United States has some form of gum disease. And it's not just older people. Gum disease can start at a very early age, especially if you don't have a proper oral-care routine, which includes flossing every day. To learn more about gum disease and how you can help prevent or treat it, click here.

Flossing and Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It is also the most treatable. Flossing is a step to keeping your gums healthy. To learn what gingivitis is all about, and what you can do about it, click here.

Smart Prevention Starts with Floss

It's actually pretty simple—flossing is a step that can help prevent the signs and symptoms of gingivitis by removing plaque. Combined with brushing and using a rinse daily, you could keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life.

See the Floss, Be the Floss

To learn the proper way to floss, click here to watch a dentist-approved flossing demo.