Daily Flossing A Vital Part Of Oral Hygiene
Effective dental hygiene takes more than just brushing your teeth! Next to brushing, daily flossing is the most important thing you can do to protect your oral health. Daily flossing is an essential part of the tooth cleaning process because it breaks up and removes plaque trapped between your teeth and at the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins.
Proper brushing and flossing will minimize the number of bacteria that inhabit our mouths. Without daily flossing, millions of these microscopic monsters can call your mouth home, feeding on the food particles left between the teeth. These bacteria produce an acid as a result of their feasting that can eat into the tooth enamel creating cavities. Moreover, these bacteria also generate volatile sulfur compounds that create embarrassing bad breath.
Cavities often start between the teeth. This is because while brushing cleans the visible surfaces of the teeth, tooth brush bristles can't reach the tiny gaps between the teeth like flossing does, leaving teeth vulnerable to a build-up of food particles and plaque. By brushing at least twice daily and flossing, you'll be able to enjoy healthier teeth and gums and a bright, sparkling smile.
People are sometimes intimidated by flossing, but with a little knowhow and practice you can soon feel like areal pro. It's usually easiest to floss with approximately eighteen inches of the floss, with each end wrapped around each of the middle fingers. The floss should form a "C" shape as it is gently rubbed against the sides of each individual tooth.
Move the floss away from the gum line as you rub along the tooth edge. A small amount of bleeding from the gums may be seen if your gums aren't used to regular flossing.
If you are still feeling overwhelmed after practicing, don't worry. Our caring dental hygienists will be happy to walk you through the steps to ensure that you're flossing properly. Interdental cleaners are also widely available for those who have mobility issues in their hands and experience difficulty handling the dental floss.
If you don't floss daily and allow plaque to remain between the teeth it will harden into a substance called tartar. Over time, more dangerous types of bacteria can build-up within tartar producing toxins that irritate and inflame the gums.
So perhaps the bottom line should be: "You should only floss the teeth you want to keep!"
April 3, 2008Dental News0
