Dental Consultant What Flossing Does for Dental Hygiene
Though brushing is essential to great oral health, do not forget the significance of flossing! Plaque and tartar can build up between your teeth just like on the front and back surfaces of your teeth – brushing alone does not reach deeply enough into crevices to remove all of this tartar. If you are not flossing, then you are likely allowing the plaque that builds cavities to form in between your teeth! Flossing, however, breaks up plaque buildup between your teeth to prevent cavities. Though brushing cleans and polishes your tooth surfaces, making your smile look clean and white, flossing creates a nice finished look around all your tooth edges. Flossing properly can be compared to edging a lawn. A well-mowed lawn may look presentable, but if that same lawn is nicely edged around its curb and driveway, it stands out that much more! Similarly, flossing helps your manicured teeth steal the show! It’s significant in the removal of plaque buildup between the teeth, especially since toothbrushes cannot access those areas. However, as with brushing, flossing is not effective if it isn’t done properly. Periodontal disease starts between the teeth, as well as at the gumline states Dental Consultant. Flossing is a vital part of any dental hygiene routine.
Follow Easy Steps
This chore may seem terribly inconvenient – maybe we are more used to brushing only because we have made it a habit all our lives. Many people can multitask while brushing, but when it comes to flossing, we are often not as adept. The traditional method requires both hands, and you generally have to pay close attention to not floss too deep, causing too much gum bleeding. As you continue on a regular basis, however, you will become quicker, more disciplined, and more comfortable. Also, if you experience some pain, do not worry. Your gums will toughen up over time, making this oral discipline less painful. If your teeth are particularly close together or far apart, most stores have thin floss for tight teeth and thicker, more textured floss for those with a little more space. One cheap dental alternative to the traditional method is the popular “floss stick” – a small, disposable plastic utensil with a small strip of cheap dental floss already attached. Floss sticks are much quicker and easier to use than traditional floss and can make this chore much more enjoyable. And that any food particles that are trapped between the teeth are removed. The length of dental floss being used should be at least 18”. The floss should be wound around the middle finger of both hands and pinched with the thumb and “pointer” finger. There should be a length of floss that is at 1”-2” long. The floss should be directed with the thumb when flossing the top teeth. The length of 1”-2” of floss should be held so that it’s taut. The “pointer” finger should be used to guide when flossing the lower and contact teeth. Floss should be eased between the teeth and contoured to their shape. Snapping the floss is discouraged because it can be damaging says Dental Consultant.
Aids For Flossing:
You simply have to guide the flosser, gently, between the teeth in the same motion. Some electric flossers are angled to aid in reaching the back teeth. This makes it easier to get to those hard to reach places says Dental Consultant. Hand held flossers are a good alternative. They are already cut to the proper length and used in the same way. Flossers should be held at an angle and guided smoothly. As with regular floss, using a zigzag motion is recommended. Try not to snap or pop the floss between the teeth. The only difference between an electric powered flosser and a hand-held is that this flosser runs on electricity. Braces and other Dental Consultant dental work can make it hard to floss properly. It’s imperative to take care not to get floss caught in dental wire or braces. There is floss specially designed for use with dental appliances. This floss is stiff, making it easier to thread between wires. The goal of proper dental hygiene is to not cause any damage to the teeth or gumline. Proper flossing will support healthy teeth and overall health. Good dental hygiene should be practiced on a daily basis. Brushing and flossing go hand and hand.
Recommended Flossing
Dentists recommend all patients to floss daily – in a perfect world, this chore would be easy. However, in this hectic world where things rarely happen perfectly, flossing just once or twice a week may keep your mouth in okay shape. It is easy to floss on-the-go with cheap dental floss sticks – you can even keep a pack of these cheap dental tools in your car. Another option is to set a day or two of the week to floss. Perhaps you want to start this routine every Friday evening before you go out. If you spend extra time getting dressed Sunday morning, you could make a point to floss every Sunday. Flossing may seem like a hassle, but flossing consistently will help keep your teeth healthy and strong for a lifetime, leading to healthy teeth and cheap dental bills. It is comforting to know that there are some helpful ways that this chore can be made more manageable. As your dentist may say, floss the teeth that you want to keep!
Dental Consultant What Flossing Does for Dental Hygiene
