Alongside brushing teeth, flossing is also an essential oral hygiene habit. Even though many will have brushed and flossed their teeth for years, it can be surprising to hear that flossing is either not being performed properly or regularly enough.
We all understand the benefits of brushing teeth every day, however, flossing has just as many benefits to your oral health.
Flossing prevents:
- Build-up and cavities and gum disease
- The sticky film called plaque building on teeth
- Reduces the chance of bacteria forming from leftover food
Make Flossing A Habit
Whilst your oral hygiene may contain brushing, rinsing the mouth, regular dental check-ups and other forms of dentistry treatment, daily flossing needs to be included as part of your routine. Floss can come in many sizes. Therefore, ensure that the floss you use works well between all of your teeth. The dentist will be in a position to advise you.
Flossing can become uncomfortable and you should expect light bleeding if it is the first time you’re doing it. It also takes practice to perfect the technique. Furthermore, once you’ve mastered the flossing technique, your teeth will always stay healthy.
The Flossing Technique
Below is the step-by-step guide on how to floss your teeth in the correct way.
- Break off a maximum of 24 inches worth of dental floss. Correctly position the floss in your fingers by winding most of the floss around two of your middle fingers on each hand. There should be a gap of at least 2 inches of floss which will be applied around the teeth.
- Hold the floss in a straight line between your thumb and index finger The floss will feel tight and in position ready to use.
- Place the dental floss in a gap between the teeth. Then, gently floss upward against both sides of each tooth.
- Do not glide back and forth as you can scratch your gums.
- To wrap it around the tooth, curve the floss around the base of the tooth, then lift up and down. This ensures the floss picks up any food particles that are stuck on the tooth.
- Repeat these steps from tooth to tooth for 30 seconds at a time. When moving to a new gap, break off new floss and throw away the old film and repeat the flossing steps.
The Benefits of Flossing Your Teeth
Food particles are a symptom of plaque build-up and bacteria. Bacteria feasts on bad sugar and starch accumulated from a bad diet comprising of sodas, coffee and bad carbohydrates that offer no oral health benefits.
Bacteria also causes tooth decay and gum disease. The longer bacteria remain on teeth, the stronger it becomes. Bacteria generates acids which lead to decay, inflammation of the gums and tooth loss.
Read our tips on how else you can keep your gums healthy
Bacteria can also enter through your bloodstream, causing inflamed gum tissue and potentially leading to more serious health complications.
Food particles is a symptom of plaque build-up and bacteria. Bacteria feasts on bad sugar and starch accumulated from a bad diet comprising of sodas, coffee and bad carbohydrates that offer no oral health benefits.
Therefore, ensure you take the necessary steps today by flossing your teeth once in the morning, once in the night and once you’ve consumed a meal. This will ensure a clean mouth and avoiding any kind of plaque build-up.
Do you need a dental check-up? You can learn the benefits of a dental check-up here. Alternatively, our exceptional Lotus Dental team are motivated to keep your oral health in check so you can show off those pearly whites. Contact us now and book an appointment with us.