Having good dental hygiene isn’t just about brushing your teeth. While brushing is important, it’s not enough by itself to maintain healthy teeth and prevent dental issues. Flossing is a big contributor to dental hygiene because it gets rid of the food and plaque in between the teeth. Here’s why you should floss and see a dentist in Boynton Beach regularly.
What Exactly Is Flossing & Why Is It Important?
Flossing is a method of cleaning between your teeth and gums using dental floss, which is made of Teflon, silk, or nylon. Flossing removes bacteria and other particles that you cannot access by simply using your toothbrush.
Removes Plaque
The first on the list for why you should floss is plaque. Since plaque is the main cause of gum disease, brushing and flossing are critical to do each and every day. Flossing your teeth consistently prevents plaque from hardening on your teeth. Keep in mind, plaque sits on your teeth within one to three days.
Prevents Gum Disease
Gum disease can happen due to poor dental hygiene and when there’s an overload of bacteria on the teeth’ surface. This disease is an infection in the mouth that damages the bones and soft tissue that serve as the baseline for your teeth. If that’s not a reason why you should floss, we don’t know what is!
Choosing the Dental Floss That’s Right for You
Individuals who have larger spaces between the teeth or who have gum recession find that there’s more efficiency when using flat, wide, dental tape. Individuals who have teeth that are situated close together can benefit from using thin dental floss, which is considered to be resistant to shredding. When it comes down to it, the most important thing is to choose floss that you will actually use.
Alternative Flossing Options
Standard dental floss is not the only efficient method of flossing your teeth. In fact, there are many dental products to meet the needs of those who have some type of dental issue.
You may want to consider one of the following alternative flossing options if you have a dental condition:
You Have Braces or Dentures
You can floss even if you wear dentures or braces. Use a specialized dental tape such as the Super Floss for Braces, Bridges, and Wide Gaps. It has three components which include a stiff end floss threader, regular floss, and spongy floss. You can easily floss under appliances and the strands are pre-measured.
It’s Challenging to Utilize the Floss
Use an electric flosser. This is an easy and ideal way to get to the back of your mouth. The flosser also delivers sufficient pressure so that your gums feel invigorated.
Your Gums are Sensitive
If your teeth are sensitive, use a soft dental tape that slides comfortably and easily between your teeth.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Flossing
Here are tips to get the most out of flossing and improve your oral health.
Invest in a Floss Holder
If you don’t have the proper hand manipulation to floss, use a two-pronged plastic floss holder or soft wooden plaque removers. Both of these tools work effectively by giving you the results you need. Also, these tools enable you to clean between the teeth with one hand.
A Little Blood is Not a Problem
You may see some bleeding because of the gums being inflamed due to plaque build-up that needs to be cleaned. It’s not something to be worried about. However, if you’re bleeding for more than a few days, then it could be a red flag for periodontal disease and a trip to the dentist in Boynton Beach.
Improve Your Approach to Flossing
It’s best to use dental tape that is between 15 to 18 inches long. Slide it between your teeth and wrap around each tooth in a C shape. Use an up and down motion.
Have More Questions About Why You Should Floss? Call a Dentist
The caring staff at Erik’s Dental Group teaches patients tips to maintain good oral hygiene. There are many reasons why you should floss and it is just as important as brushing as it removes food and other debris stuck in between your teeth. Failure to do this regularly could lead to bacteria, plaque, and other dental issues.
For a comprehensive dental exam and teeth cleaning with a dentist in Boynton Beach, contact Eriks Dental Group at 561-733-4004 and schedule an appointment today!