Flossing. It’s dental care 101. And you should do it every single day.
The American Dental Association recommends daily flossing, and the U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services emphasizes its importance, and your Utah family dentist will undoubtedly encourage you to do it.
Flossing and brushing are your best defense against plaque. Plaque is the enemy, but you don’t necessarily need to take your hatred out on it while you floss. Gently brushing and flossing are the best ways to keep your gums healthy and happy. If you floss too roughly, you can make your gums bleed. Bleeding gums are not happy gums.
Flossing doesn’t take long, even if you take your time. Focus on gently bringing the plaque down and out of your mouth. Once you make it a part of your regular routine, flossing will be second nature.
Putting physical pressure on your gums while you floss is a big no-no. Contrary to what you may have been taught, the floss doesn’t need to rub back and forth on your gums. Flossing is for the removal of plaque and food particles that are in between your teeth. Too much pressure on the gums may cause lasting damage.
(Sora Shimazaki/Pexels)
Flossing is not a Stand-Alone Method for Oral Care.
Imagine a team you may be a part of. Each of you serves a vital role, but your efforts together make it work. The same goes for flossing. Flossing alone won’t keep your health at its prime. You must combine flossing and brushing. Rinsing with mouthwash after flossing and brushing is a good idea too. Plus, who doesn’t want fresh breath? Oh, and don’t forget to keep a standing appointment with your dentist every six months for those professional cleanings.
Flossing Speed
Flossing your teeth is not a race. And there’s not exactly a mathematical equation to tell you the exact speed at which you should floss your teeth; just don’t do it too fast. Sometimes when we do things too fast, we make mistakes, do a poor job, or irritate the gums in the case of flossing.
Flossing Frequency
You probably never in a million years thought a Utah dentist would say this, but don’t floss too much! We recommend once a day, no more and no less. Over flossing can cause damage and pain, and it is simply unnecessary. It can cause more harm than good. Whether you choose to floss in the morning or night is your prerogative. However, there are some advantages to flossing at night, as you can remove all of the plaque from the day’s meals and snacks.
Floss Both Sides of The Tooth
It’s a common mistake only to floss one side of the tooth. Many focus on the gaps between the teeth as areas that need cleaning. But it’s essential to floss both sides of each tooth and also takes your floss up just under the gum line to prevent cavities and gum disease.
Bleeding Gums
Yes, what we said earlier is true: bleeding gums are not happy gums. However, if you’re being gentle and your gums are bleeding, that’s a sign of gum disease caused by bacteria buildup and plaque — exactly what flossing prevents! So, if you haven’t flossed those teeth in a while and bleeding occurs, keep flossing. Eventually, your swollen gums will subside, and bleeding will no longer happen when flossing.
Types of Floss
The two main types of floss available in stores: are waxed and unwaxed floss. Waxed floss is very affordable and is the most popular. It comes in a little dispenser, all wrapped into one package.
Unwaxed floss is usually a little more expensive and contains polytetrafluoroethylene (PTE); it’s an ingredient to help the floss glide smoothly between your teeth.
It doesn’t matter what type of floss you use. The important thing is that you are always fully stocked and don’t miss a day.
It’s never too late to start flossing. Don’t think about it; just do it! Your dental care matters and only you can make vital, daily decisions that will determine the state of your oral care. Plus, if you have children, you want to be a great example to them and encourage them to form healthy dental habits early on that will carry with them throughout their lives.
Pretty teeth are worth it. Healthy teeth are worth it. You are worth it.
Toothbrushes and floss are inexpensive and make a world of difference in your oral hygiene. If you’re not a flosser, make today the day, the day you become your advocate for healthy teeth. And for your semi-annual teeth cleanings, give us a call to establish care with a West Haven or Layton Dentist.