Caring for your smile at home requires more than just brushing your teeth once a day. As more than 40% of your teeth’s surface area lies in the spaces between teeth and right below the gum line, flossing makes up an important and necessary part of an effective oral hygiene regimen.
Flossing 101
Over the course of a day, oral bacteria accumulate, spurring the development of plaque on teeth and around the gum line. While daily brushing can remove this naturally-occurring film from the front and back of teeth, toothbrushes rarely reach the spaces between teeth. These nooks provide the perfect hiding place for bacteria and plaque to develop and spread.
Ultimately, this puts patients at risk of developing serious oral health problems, ranging from cavities to gum disease. Often, consequences require advanced dental treatment, such as root canal therapy or crowns in order to correct damage to the smile and restore natural dental function.
Flossing regularly helps patients avoid these potential issues before they have the opportunity to develop. By moving floss within hard-to-reach spaces, plaque and bacteria are loosened and removed before they have the opportunity to damage teeth. In cases where patients are experiencing early symptoms of gingivitis (early stage gum disease), flossing after meals can prevent the condition from worsening.
Proper Flossing Technique
In order to protect your smile, it is critical that you floss the right way. At Feldhake & Associates, our goal is to educate patients on effective at-home hygiene tips for healthier, long lasting smiles. Some of our recommendations include:
Flossing Each Tooth
Bacteria and plaque can be trapped everywhere, including between teeth and soft tissue at the back of the mouth; be thorough in cleaning around each tooth.
Guiding the Floss
To floss effectively, use about 18 inches of floss wrapped around your index fingers. Slowly guide the string between teeth, avoiding forcing the floss into any spaces. Once at the base of a tooth, pull the floss so it forms a c-shape around the tooth use a gentle scrubbing motion. When complete, pull the floss out, move the used piece out of the way and repeat the process around all other teeth. Once you’ve finished, be sure to rinse your mouth with an ADA-approved mouthwash to remove any remaining plaque or food.
For more helpful hints and tips from our staff, be sure to call and schedule your next appointment with our Scottsdale dentists today.