Flossing your teeth can feel like a nuisance, especially when you’re really tired at night, or in a hurry to get ready in the morning. It seems like it’s not too big a deal to skip every now and then, right? It may be bigger deal than you realize and your dentist near Lake Forest will tell you why.
Why Should I Floss Every Day?
Plaque builds up on our teeth everyday due to the foods and beverages we consume. It’s the acids produced by plaque that can cause tooth decay and damage tooth enamel. Believe it or not, plaque actually builds up in between your teeth too, and you can’t remove it with brushing alone. Flossing is the best way to remove plaque and food debris from in between your teeth. Did you know that you can actually get cavities in between your teeth? It’s true!
Plaque also contributes to gingivitis, which is an infection in your gum tissue and is also the first stage of periodontal (gum) disease. Gingivitis can also occur in between your teeth. Flossing not only removes harmful plaque buildup in between your teeth, it also helps to strengthen your gum tissue, which protects against gum disease.
How to Floss Properly
At Lake Forest Smiles, we recommend that our patients floss at least once per day. By creating a nightly routine, you’ll find that it really doesn’t add too much time to your home care routine. It’s also important to use the right technique when you floss. Being too rough can cause damage to your delicate gum tissue. Here are some tips:
- Use about 18-20 inches of floss that you wrap around each middle finger. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
- Gently curve the floss around each side of your tooth in a C-shape and slide it up and down. Be sure to go carefully beneath the gum line to remove plaque.
- Repeat these steps with every tooth.
Flossing your teeth daily gives you the added bonus of fresher breath since you’re removing the plaque and food debris that contributes to halitosis (bad breath)!
Consistent Preventive Care
Our hygienists are happy to show you or discuss the proper techniques for brushing and flossing your teeth when you visit us for your six-month cleaning. Taking the time to educate our patients about their oral health is something we love to do, so please don’t hesitate to ask for a demonstration.
Give your Lake Forest dentist a call today to schedule your next appointment!