Good dental hygiene extends beyond brushing. Flossing helps maintain white teeth. You may do it at night or in the morning, but consistency has many advantages. Plaque and germs between your teeth may cause periodontal disease and gum rot, but flossing can help. Contrary to common opinion, floss isn’t always the same, and there are certain considerations. Ask your dentist at My Family Dental in Townsville about floss types.
What is Flossing?
Flossing is a process in which a tiny thread is used to floss between teeth. Plaque and dirt in hard-to-reach areas are removed, improving gums and preventing cavities. Many assume flossing entails passing a thread between teeth, but here are some dos and don’ts to maximise your flossing regimen.
Follow these do’s and don’ts to maximise flossing.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Flossing
- DO use floss daily
This procedure works best when flossed daily. You’ll need 18-inch floss to floss your mouth. Be liberal with floss tape and apply more if needed. According to WebMD, you eliminate up to 40% of plaque that causes gum disease and cavities each time you floss. Thus, ample floss strands and daily flossing are always a good idea.
- DO floss each tooth with a different segment
You seem to require a lot of floss, but why? You need a new section for each tooth. Plaque and bacteria are transmitted while flossing between teeth with the same segment. If you don’t replace floss sections for each tooth, you may be harming your oral health. Next time you’re in the mirror, floss all your teeth.
- DON’T force floss
Too many individuals don’t understand when flossing is ineffective. Avoid snapping or shoving floss between teeth. Doing so may cause gum recession, bleeding, and pain. Use mild pressure to floss between each tooth. Wrap the floss around the tooth and get between the gum and the tooth. This will remove germs and plaque underneath the gum line without injuring soft tissue.
- DO continue if you see bleeding
Even if your gums begin to bleed, you should absolutely keep flossing. This may seem contradictory. Gum inflammation and bleeding are among the first indications of gingivitis. Thus, don’t let the blood frighten you. Rather, floss between your teeth softly and consistently every day. Following this regimen will help lessen the edema and finally end the bleeding. Rarely, however, the bleeding could worsen. In this situation, you should schedule an appointment with a dental office as soon as possible. If you’re in search of specialized care, finding an orthodontist near me can be helpful, as offices like Davis and Goldberg Orthodontics offer professional advice and treatment to improve your oral health.
- DO take your time
When you floss, take your time. Rushing may result in insufficient cleansing and may irritate your gums.
- DO keep up with routine dental examinations.
While flossing is an excellent at-home practice, regular dental cleanings are necessary to preserve teeth in their best condition.
Adding the do’s to your regimen and avoiding the don’ts can help you smile better. A little everyday effort may avoid tooth troubles in the future.
We hope you have got valuable information about dental flossing in this post!
