Flossing, or interdental cleaning, targets the surfaces brushing cannot effectively reach. Teeth have five surfaces, but brushing alone cleans only about 60% of the total tooth area. The remaining 40% consists of the tight spaces between teeth and the area just beneath the gumline, accessible only with interdental cleaning tools. Neglecting this step leaves the mouth covered in plaque, a bacterial biofilm that rapidly forms throughout the day. This accumulation leads to damage affecting both the mouth and the rest of the body.
Immediate Surface Consequences
When flossing is skipped, bacteria in the trapped plaque consume food particles. This metabolic process produces waste products, including volatile sulfur compounds, which cause halitosis, or bad breath. Within 24 to 72 hours, the soft plaque begins to mineralize and harden into calculus, often called tartar.
Tartar is a calcified substance that cannot be removed by simple brushing or flossing; it requires professional dental cleaning tools. Tartar creates a rough, porous surface that accelerates plaque buildup. If a person attempts to floss after neglect, the gums may feel tender or bleed easily, which signals inflammation triggered by the bacterial presence.
The Onset of Reversible Disease
The persistent bacterial film along the gumline initiates gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. This condition is characterized by an inflammatory response where the gums become red, swollen, and prone to bleeding during brushing or flossing. Gingivitis develops as the immune system reacts to bacterial toxins, causing increased blood flow and fluid accumulation in the gum tissues.
The inflammation remains confined to the soft gum tissue, without damaging the underlying bone or connective tissue. This stage is reversible; with consistent oral hygiene, including daily interdental cleaning, the inflammation resolves, and the gums return to a healthy state. However, the trapped plaque also produces acids that demineralize tooth enamel, leading directly to interproximal decay, or cavities on the side surfaces of the teeth.
Progression to Severe and Irreversible Damage
If gingivitis is left unaddressed, the chronic inflammation progresses into periodontitis, a destructive and irreversible condition. In this advanced stage, the prolonged immune response to the bacteria begins to damage the tissues that anchor the teeth in the jaw. The inner layer of the gum and bone pulls away from the tooth, creating deeper spaces known as periodontal pockets.
These pockets fill with bacteria and calculus, allowing harmful anaerobic bacteria to thrive and deepen the infection. The body’s immune reaction inadvertently causes the destruction of the alveolar bone, the specialized bone that supports the teeth. This loss of support structure is permanent, as the bone tissue cannot regenerate on its own. As the bone and connective tissues are destroyed, the teeth become loose, shift, and can ultimately be lost. Restoring function after tooth loss often requires complex and costly treatments such as bridges or dental implants.
Links to Overall Body Health
The chronic inflammation associated with periodontitis is not isolated to the mouth; it has a systemic impact on the entire body. The ulcerated gum lining allows bacteria and their byproducts to enter the bloodstream easily, a process known as bacteremia. Pro-inflammatory chemical messengers, such as cytokines, generated in the inflamed gum tissues also circulate throughout the body.
This persistent systemic inflammation connects chronic gum disease to other health issues. For instance, periodontitis has a bidirectional relationship with diabetes: the infection makes blood sugar control more challenging, while poor sugar control increases the severity of gum disease. The chronic inflammation and circulating bacteria are also linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular problems, including heart disease and stroke. Maintaining healthy gums through routine interdental cleaning reduces the burden of systemic inflammation and infection, contributing to better overall health.