Great Reasons to Never Forget to Floss!
Do you dread the question, “Have you been flossing every day?” When you visit the dentist for your teeth cleaning, the dental assistant inevitably asks if you have been flossing each day. Some of us have, others have not. You might ask yourself, “…is flossing really important?” The answer is … YES! Flossing every day is a critically important step in maintaining a healthy mouth. If you have ever wondered why, read on to learn some great reasons to never forget to floss.
What Does Flossing Do?
When you floss, you are able to clean the tiny spaces between your teeth that are hard for the brush to reach. In fact, flossing your teeth is the most effective way to clean the spaces between the teeth and along the gum line.
Why Is It Important to Floss?
Flossing between the teeth removes plaque, which helps prevent cavities and gum disease.
What Happens if You Forget to Floss?
When you don’t floss, plaque grows between the teeth and along the gum line. Plaque contains bacteria that feeds on leftover food or sugar in your mouth. When that happens, it releases an acid that can eat away at the outer shell of your teeth and cause cavities. Plaque that is not removed eventually hardens into a rough substance called tartar (or calculus).
Why Is It a Problem if You Don’t Remove Plaque and Tartar?
If not removed, tartar will collect along your gum line. Over time, this can lead to gum disease. Once tartar forms, it can only be removed through a professional dental cleaning. Daily flossing is the best way to prevent against plaque and tartar forming.
What Are Some Tips for Proper Flossing?
The American Dental Association recommends flossing your teeth daily, and at Woodside Dental, we agree daily flossing is an essential part of a good oral health routine. Here are 5 easy to follow tips for proper flossing:
- Break off about 18 inches of floss, and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand – this finger will take up the floss as it is used.
- Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
- Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
- When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
- Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Make sure to remember the back side of your last tooth!
What if I Still Have Questions About Flossing?
If you still have questions about proper flossing techniques, give Woodside Dental a call! We welcome you to call us anytime, or feel free to speak to our team at your next teeth-cleaning appointment. Many of our patients ask us about proper flossing techniques, and we often hear from people who feel they do not know the right way to do it. We are always happy to discuss best practices for brushing and flossing, and encourage you to ask us your questions during your routine teeth cleaning visit or reach out to us anytime at (805) 647-1322.
At Woodside Dental of Ventura, California, we encourage our patients to brush teeth twice a day and floss once daily, so you can fight plaque and prevent gum disease-causing tartar. We are here to be partners with you in your oral health and our general dentistry services are designed to meet the needs of you and your whole family. It is our goal to help you maintain optimal health in your mouth. Give us a call at (805) 647-1322 or click here to book an appointment today! At Woodside Dental, we will go above and beyond to meet your needs for a healthy smile.
