Flossing Your Teeth: Why It is Important?

flossing at cosmetic dentist in boca raton

‘Everyone knows that flossing your teeth is considered one of the most important things you can do to insure good dental hygiene. However, most people either forget to floss or put it very low on their list of priorities. Flossing has been proven to effectively prevent tartar buildup and significantly help prevent cavities. The American dental health organization recommends flossing at least once a day. Flossing helps prevent cavities by cleaning the interior areas where your toothbrush cannot reach. Think of a dirty carpet that you vacuum. You cannot see the dirt that is coming out. but once it has been cleaned, the carpet looks much cleaner and brighter.   This same principle applies to flossing your teeth.  You should include flossing as part of your daily routine for the following reasons: To Prevent Tartar Buildup

Tartar is formed between the teeth when the plaque and the saliva mix and calcifies. The accumulation of this tartar is detrimental to the health of your gums. If you are unable to remove this build up in a timely manner, this process keeps repeating itself and there is a buildup of more plaque between the teeth and gums. Over time, this can cause a real problem! With consistent brushing and flossing on a daily basis, is easy to remove this buildup before it gets too far ahead of you!

To Prevent Tooth Decay

Plaque is a sticky substance full of bacteria that covers your teeth. As plaque builds up, it feeds off the sugar in your food, breaks down the enamel on your teeth and eventually causes cavities. Daily flossing is the most effective way to remove all the plaque that has accumulated between your teeth and prevent breakdown of your tooth enamel. It is imperative to floss regularly if you want to reduce your risk for cavities and frequent visits to the dentist.

To Help Avoid Gum Disease

An accumulation of plaque in the teeth can lead to gingivitis, a condition that produces swelling, irritation, redness and bleeding of your gums. Gingivitis can lead to more serious conditions such as periodontal gum disease, loose teeth and ultimately can result in tooth loss. The plaque that hides between the teeth and gums can be effectively removed by flossing.

To Prevent Bad Breath

When the plaque remains between the gums and teeth, it facilitates the harboring of more bacteria, hence producing a foul smell. Flossing your teeth daily is the best way that you can prevent these problems and maintain good oral hygiene.

Now that you’re completely aware of just how important the simple habit of flossing is, here are a few tips to help you floss in a more effective and ingenious way:

Use an Easy Flossing Technique: It is best to use a piece of floss that is between 15 and 17 inches long. You should then slide it into your mouth and wrap it in a C shape around the tooth before polishing it up and down in a slow motion.

Stop Worrying About Bleeding: Bleeding gums signal inflammation of your gums. This is generally caused by the buildup of plaque. Don’t stop flossing just because your gums bleed a little. You might want to adjust your flossing technique and use a gentler motion when flossing that particular area of the gums and see if that helps. Typically, bleeding will stop after a couple of days. However if it does not stop, it could be a warning sign of possible periodontal disease. It is a good idea to visit a trusted dental professional such as Cosmetic Dentist in Boca Raton and have this checked out.

Buy a Floss Holder: if you do not possess the dexterity in your hands to floss, try using a soft wood plaque remover, which look like tooth picks to clean your teeth. These wooden plaque removers allow you to clean your teeth with one hand.

Now that you’re aware of the importance of flossing and aquainted with the techniques, you might wonder what kind of dental floss is best to use?

Most of the dental floss in the market today is either Teflon or nylon. Both types are equally good and effective. The structure of your teeth will determine the type of floss that you should use. People with large spaces in between their gums and their teeth (gum recession) are likely to get positive results with a wide, flat dental floss tape. However you tend to get more effective results with thinner (Gore-Tex) shred-resistant floss if your teeth are closer together.

If you happen to be wearing braces or have a bridge, flossing may be a little more challenging. One option is to try a special floss threader (looks like a plastic needle). Many dentists recommend Super floss to their patients which is a type of floss with a stiff end at one side and a spongy end on another.   Ultimately, it is a personal choice of whichever type works best for you.

Flossing your teeth is a simple activity but it comes with huge rewards! Daily brushing and flossing of your teeth plus regular cleaning and checkups by a professional dental team, such as the professional team at Cosmetic Dentist in Boca Raton will put you well on your way to maintaining beautiful, healthy teeth and gums!

Don’t Delay! Call Cosmetic Dentist in Boca Raton at (561) 232-2070 to schedule your checkup today!