Brushing and flossing are equally important to ensure your oral health and to protect your general health. Most people are pretty good about daily brushing…but flossing… well, that’s another story.
First get the facts, then your floss!
Failing to floss regularly can lead to a dental domino effect: plaque build-up, gingivitis, periodontitis, teeth falling out, premature aging and eventually seriously compromised health longevity.
So, how can flossing exactly help prevent you from getting gum disease?
Flossing is absolutely essential to remove plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the teeth, accumulates and hardens over time. It helps clean teeth in the nooks and crannies that are impossible to reach by flossing alone–between the teeth and under your gum line.
It only takes 24 hours for enough oral bacteria to form in the mouth to start causing gum disease. That’s why it’s important to floss daily! Ideally, you should floss after every meal. But even flossing once a day– before or after brushing–can reduce the risk of gum disease.
Flossing works best when you do it right. Our smile team will demonstrate the effective technique for you. You’ll want to wrap the floss around the tooth and use a back and forth/up and down motion.
Bleeding gums is not a signal to stop flossing! On the contrary, it means you have gum disease and need to floss more–perhaps a little gentler until the tissue heals.
The best type of floss is the one you’re going to use! You can choose between waxed or unwaxed, flavored or unflavored and regular or tape types. When you have large hands, limited dexterity and arthritis that makes flossing difficult, consider dental floss holders or interdental cleaners.
Don’t get hung up on the details. It doesn’t matter whether you floss before or after you brush. Just do it! You’ll really be glad you did.
Our Smile Team’s Simple “Flossophy”
Spending pennies a day and a couple of minutes to floss your teeth is a small price to pay for saving your smile and enhancing your overall health!
As your smile team, we are here for you. Please call our smile team or book your next appointment online with us TODAY! We would love to help you combat gum disease!