October is National Hygiene month, so it is fitting we talk about flossing!
Brushing and flossing are equally important to ensure your oral health and to protect your general health. Most people are pretty good about daily brushing…but flossing…well, that’s another story. First get the facts. Then, get your floss !
Failing to floss can lead to a dental domino effect: plaque build-up, gingivitis, periodontitis, teeth falling out, premature aging and, eventually, seriously compromised health and longevity !
Flossing is absolutely essential to remove plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the teeth, accumulates and hardens over time
Flossing helps clean teeth in the areas that are impossible to reach by brushing alone—between the teeth and under your gum line.
It only takes 24 hours for enough oral bacteria to form in the mouth to start causing gum disease. That’s why it’s important to floss daily !
Ideally, you should floss after every meal. But even flossing once a day—before or after brushing—can reduce the risk of gum disease.
Flossing works best when you do it right. We’ll demonstrate the proper technique for you. You’ll want to wrap the floss around the tooth and use a back-and-forth/up-and- down motion. When you come in for your hygiene appointment, we can demonstrate this for you.
Bleeding gums is not a signal to stop flossing ! On the contrary, it means you have gum disease and need to floss more—perhaps a little gentler until the tissue heals.
The best type of floss is the one you’re going to use ! You can choose between waxed or unwaxed, flavored or unflavored, and regular or tape types.
When you have large hands, limited dexterity or arthritis that makes flossing difficult, consider dental floss holders or intra- dental cleaners. Ask us for the best ones, or we can even give you a sample next time we see you.
Don’t get hung up on the details.
It doesn’t matter whether you floss before or after you brush. Just do it! You’ll be glad you did!!
So Here’s Our “Flossophy”...
Spending pennies a day and a couple of minutes to floss your teeth is a small price to pay for saving your smile and enhancing your health!v
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