People everywhere avoid flossing. Some think it’s unnecessary, some find it painful, and some don’t make time for it. Brushing alone is not enough to maintain good oral hygiene. Floss can access places toothbrushes cannot, giving your gums and teeth a better cleaning.
No one wants to get a cavity filled or, even worse, a root canal. Poor oral hygiene can lead to painful conditions and can also be expensive to remedy. If flossing is not already a part of your daily oral hygiene routine, it’s time to make it a habit once and for all.
The Benefits of Flossing
Flossing is essential to fighting tooth decay and preventing cavities. But cavities aren’t the only issue to be concerned about if you don’t floss. Without flossing, your gums may give way to gingivitis, which can be very painful, leaving a bloody mess in its wake.
The good news is that removing food particles and plaque will reduce bacteria in your mouth and benefit your gum tissue. Harmful bacteria that go unchecked can lead to tartar and periodontal disease. You can avoid damage through regular flossing and good dental hygiene.
Prevents Dental Problems
Flossing before you go to bed can prevent bacteria from gaining a foothold overnight. When you eat, food quickly becomes stuck between your teeth. If you skip flossing, leftover food particles wedged between our teeth will become a yummy midnight snack for bacteria.
Bacteria will wreak havoc on your mouth if left untreated. Your teeth may become weak and fragile, and you may experience cavities, gum disease, and infection.
Strengthens Gums
Bleeding gums are a sign that your gums are not at their healthiest. Weak or inflamed gums can lead to swelling, pain, and disease. Taking the time to floss daily can strengthen your gums.
Prevents Bad Breath
Bacteria don’t just eat away at your gums and teeth but can also cause bad breath. Bad breath can be a killer of confidence and self-esteem. Floss your teeth not only for your friends, significant other, coworkers, and family but also for yourself.
Better Together
Brushing alone is not enough. While you may remove some buildup, you’re primarily cleaning the surface of your teeth. Fortunately, floss can go where toothbrushes cannot.
Floss to clean between your teeth and improve your oral care. Brushing and flossing go hand in and hand and work better when used together.
Lowers Risk of Disease
Did you know that gum disease is linked to respiratory diseases, diabetes, and heart disease? Taking the time to floss every day can reduce your risk of these diseases.
Flossing Saves Money
Since flossing can help prevent various diseases and dental issues, you will likely pay less in dental expenses throughout the year. Making the time to maintain your oral care daily actually pays off!
How to Floss
There are various kinds of dental floss. You can ask your dentist as to what floss is best for you. Some are designed to make flossing easier for the user, while more advanced options help clean the areas under the gum line and between the teeth.
The key to achieving the best results is by using the proper technique. Correctly flossing will enable you to remove plaque buildup and food that’s wedged between your teeth. This practice is vital to the improvement of your oral health.
How Much Floss
Before you begin flossing, it’s essential to have enough in hand. Eighteen to twenty-four inches is the average length of floss recommended. Wrap most of the floss around your middle fingers for stability and ease, leaving about 2 inches of floss to glide between your teeth.
Floss Placement
While holding the floss taut, slide it between your teeth. Use a zigzag motion.
Make a C-Shape
After sliding it up and down between your teeth to remove plaque, form a C shape with the floss. This technique is used at the bottom of the tooth to floss the gums effectively. Remove the floss gently and move on to the next tooth.
How Often Should I Floss?
The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day and brushing your teeth twice per day. Cleaning both your teeth and gums is crucial to a well rounded oral care routine. You can floss your teeth at any time of day. Whenever it works best for you is better than not flossing at all!
Importance of Flossing: Caring for Your Overall Health
Flossing is an often overlooked part of oral care. While it seems small, it can impact your overall health. Our team cares greatly about your dental health and are happy to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call at 480-838-3033 to schedule an appointment.