Your Family Dental Care Clinic Explains Flossing

Flossing and brushing are essential dental habits for maintaining good oral health. No wonder the question of brushing or flossing technique and frequency arises every time you visit your family dental care clinic.  As you grow older, the care you receive from your family dental clinic might vary as the teeth undergo specific developmental changes. But flossing and brushing remain top on the list of habits for optimal dental health.

Learning the proper flossing technique can help you keep healthy gums and teeth for a lifetime. So how and why should you floss? Book an appointment with your family dental care clinic.

How to Floss Your Teeth

Your family dental care clinic recommends brushing for two minutes at least twice a day paired with not less than a once-daily flossing routine. Flossing every time you brush guarantees you a cleaner smile. While brushing twice daily might be a no-big-deal, many people find it difficult to maintain a regular flossing routine as recommended. You can overcome this challenge by getting into the habit of flossing while enjoying your favorite TV show or listening to music.

When flossing your teeth, follow the steps below:

• Pull a dental floss equal to the length of your arm (distance from the shoulder to the hand) from the strand. Wrap the string around your index fingers, leaving around 2 inches of floss between your hands.
• Gently slide the floss between teeth and wrap it around the base of a tooth in a C-shape fashion. Ensure it's under the gum line, then move it toward the tip of the tooth. Repeat this base-tip motion 2-3 times for every tooth. Try alternating the pressure between the fingers to ensure the floss wipes properly.
• Floss both sides of every tooth, including the molars. Remember to floss the backs of the last molars. If the floss becomes dirty or wears out, move to the next section of the strand.

Although the order of events does not matter as long as you do a thorough job, your family dental care clinic recommends flossing before brushing. Besides brushing away the particles removed during flossing, this allows more fluoride to reach between your teeth and enhance your dentition. Consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse after the daily flossing and brushing for optimal oral health.

Why Floss Your Teeth?

Dental floss gets between the teeth and reaches tight spaces beyond the reach of toothbrush bristles. While it only adds a few minutes to your oral hygiene routine, flossing removes plaques, particles, and bacteria to grant you a better smile.

Here are the reasons why your family dental care clinic recommends regular flossing:

Removes Plaque

After eating, particles accumulate and form a film on the teeth that become plaque. When left to sit on the teeth, plaque hardens to form tartar, which eats the tooth enamel to cause dental carries and other problems. Flossing removes plaques and prevents the associated complications.

Prevents Gum Bleeding and Gum Disease

Without regular flossing, you may notice bleeding from the gums when you brush or visit the dentist for in-office flossing. This occurs because bacteria accumulate in the tiny spaces, such as below the gum line, where the toothbrush does not reach, causing inflammation. Sometimes, the gums swell and become painful. Issues like bad breath, loose teeth, or receding gums then ensue. Flossing helps to remove bacteria, preventing problems such as gingivitis and tooth decay.

If you don't floss, you miss cleaning up to 1/3 of the surface of your teeth which can cause a myriad of oral health issues. So develop the habit early and practice it regularly.

Taking Control of Your Oral Health

Your oral hygiene routine is incomplete without visiting a dentist. For a lifelong healthy smile, book an appointment with your family dental care clinic at Millrise Dental Clinic today and get all your questions on flossing answered.