Flossing and Gum Disease - Interdental Care for Healthy Teeth and Gums

You know that brushing your teeth every day can help you avoid cavities. But that's not enough to keep your teeth healthy. You may be surprised to learn that most tooth loss in adults is not caused by tooth decay– it's caused by gum disease. Gums cover and protect the bone that supports your teeth. This bone is like a foundation that supports a building— it the foundation becomes weakened, the building may fall down, even though there's nothing wrong with the building itself.

Similarly, if the gums are not cared for, the bone underneath can become infected and damaged. You can lose your teeth if the bone is not strong enough to hold your teeth in place— even if you've never had a cavity in your life!

Provided as an educational service by Oral B Laboratories. www.OralB.com