Why flossing is important to the overall care of your teeth.

Regular usage of dental floss removes plaque, prevents build up of plaque which can lead to tartar. The simple use of floss can make the teeth look and feel cleaner and help to reach and remove what your toothbrush can’t.

How Does Flossing Help?

While a brushing twice daily hygiene routine is great, brushing alone will not fully prevent your teeth from gum disease, gingivitis, and bleeding gums.

People who suffer from bleeding gums and sensitivity are often the main people who don’t floss at all or irregularly. Others find excuses not to or just are not used to or good at it to make is a daily routine. But, building it back into your daily routine can help in so many ways. Remember it takes 21 days to form a habit!

What does not flossing do?

Gingivitis is the first stage to gum disease. It is the most treatable of all the steps, however, flossing is also the first step to keeping this at bay.

Gum Disease is not just affecting the mouth and gums but is linked to several other chronic conditions such as: Dementia, Alzheimer’s, oral/head and neck cancer, heart disease, diabetes and a host of others.

On average Gum Disease affects 1 in 8 adults in the United States in some form.

Flossing Tips

It’s never too late to begin flossing. Here’s a basic guide to flossing your teeth:

1. Use about 12-18 inches of dental floss.
2. Hold the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers.
3. Be gentle when flossing teeth and avoid applying too much pressure on your gums. Move floss up and down between teeth.
4. Don’t force the floss, gently slide and curve it around teeth.
5. Floss both sides of the teeth, and make sure to gently dip beneath the gumline.

At home care combined with regularly seeing your Dentist for routine cleanings are a great way to assure your overall oral hygiene. Call to schedule today, (703) 783-4557.