Why You Should Floss
Be honest, how often do you really floss? You probably don’t think much of it, but flossing is vital to our health.
It’s easy to forget about this step during our hectic schedules, but luckily it’s a simple process that only takes a few moments of time and gives you a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums!
Flossing Benefits
Flossing is meant to get rid of plaque build-up on our teeth, preventing bacteria from accumulating and causing a multitude of dental issues. If you’ve experienced red or bleeding gums after flossing, you may be too scared to floss again. However, the more often you floss, the less likely your gums will bleed.
Flossing daily, along with brushing for two minutes twice a day, helps remove plaque and reduces your risk of tooth decay and gum disease — not to mention it leaves you with a clean and healthier smile. So, be sure to make flossing an essential part of your oral health routine!
When to Floss
We often hear the question, “should I floss before or after I brush my teeth?” The answer? The sequence doesn’t matter, just make sure you do it thoroughly! This also applies to what time of day you should floss — some of our patients prefer to do it at night before bedtime, others include it in their morning routines, and even others will choose to do it after a midday meal. As long as you are flossing thoroughly, daily, you’ll be in good shape.
How to Floss:
- First, take about 18 inches of floss from the dispenser.
- Next, wrap the ends of the floss around each middle finger and hold the floss between your indexes and thumbs as you gently insert it between your teeth.
- Wrap the floss in a “C” shape around a tooth and gently floss back and forth, as well as up and down.
- Repeat step 3 on each tooth — including the ones hiding in the back of your mouth!
Once flossing is complete, toss away the used floss — the ADA (and all of us here at AMPD) does not recommend using a floss strand more than once.
Options for Flossing
Traditional dental floss isn’t the only effective product for flossing your teeth. In fact, there are many products available should you need something more specialized. For example:
- If you have braces, opt for a specialized floss (like this one from Oral-B) that has unique components for cleaning around the appliance.
- If you have younger children, they may need your help until they have the ability to floss on their own. When the time comes, you may consider selecting a kid-friendly flossing tool — like a floss pick or floss holder.
- If you have sensitive gums, choose a soft floss that glides easily and prevents bleeding.
There are also ADA approved electric flossers available for those who may find it difficult to floss by hand.
Schedule Your Next Appointment at AMPD
It’s crucial for us to teach our children the importance of proper dental hygiene. You can learn more about how to get your child into the habit of brushing and flossing daily by contacting the professionals here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental. Schedule an appointment with our highly-trained, board-certified care providers today!