We at Midway Family and Cosmetic Dentistry are very concerned about your oral health. Many of our patients feel that brushing their teeth two or three times a day can maintain adequate oral health. This is simply not the case. It is important for the health of your mouth and your general health to floss at least once a day. This is also recommended the American Dental Association.
The ADA actually recommends that you floss before you brush. This makes brushing more effective. Since less plaque between your teeth, the fluoride in your toothpaste can get to more parts of your mouth. You should think of floss and a toothbrush as a detail paintbrush and paint roller. The paint roller works on large surfaces, and the detail brush works on the hard to reach surfaces. While your toothbrush can reach the outer surfaces of your teeth, it can’t get in between teeth of in the space between the base of the teeth and the gums. You might think that mouthwash can reach these spots, but this is not true. Only floss can reach these places.
The place where the floss does its main job is where the gums and teeth meet. Small pieces of food can get stuck there. Plaque in this area can harden and build up over time to form tartar. Tartar can only be removed with your dentist’s instruments. If it is not removed, It can lead to gingivitis. This is the first stage of gum disease where your gums get red and swollen. If gingivitis is not treated it can lead to periodontitis. This is where there is an infection in the gums, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss.
So, what is the proper technique for flossing? First, pull out about 18 inches of floss from its container. Wrap the ends around your fingers for good control. Then, gently slide the floss in between your teeth making sure to wrap the floss around each tooth. You should not press hard into your gums and avoid sawing motions that can cause injury. After you are done, you should brush your teeth and use mouthwash.
Since health and dental costs are rising, taking care of your mouth can save you money in the future. Tooth and gum disease are not merely local issues. Research has indicated that the bacteria that grow in your mouth can result in heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illness. This shows that sometimes something as simple as flossing once a day can have major repercussions on your overall health.
You can make your dental visit easier and more pleasant if you floss regularly. The more often that you remove the plaque between your teeth, the less scraping you dentist and hygienist will need to do. Flossing will help to remove the plaque before it hardens into tartar.
The staff at Midway Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is focused on preventing dental health problems by educating our patients in proper oral care. You should brush at least twice a day, floss once a day, and use an antibacterial mouthwash every day. These three preventative measures can help you save your teeth. We now know that you must treat the body as a whole. A problem in one are of the body can affect the rest of the body, and we want to keep our patients healthy.
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