Did you know that cavities are one of the largest unmet health treatment needs? Untreated, they could cause pain, infections, and other problems. No one wants to go through fillings; that’s why preventative measures are much more important. You might wonder what you can do to help prevent cavities.
When you floss, you’re getting between the teeth and removing plaque that a toothbrush can’t reach. It’s so much more beneficial than that, too! Read this guide to explore the various reasons why you should floss daily.
Keep Your Teeth Clean
Food particles from crunchy, sticky foods and fruit can get stuck between your teeth. Your teeth need to be flossed once per day to avoid this. Foods rich in sugar can increase plaque buildup, leading to tooth decay. Floss will remove this plaque.
Prevent Gum Disease
Plaque on your teeth could lead to gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis could lead to periodontitis. The concern of periodontitis is tooth loss. To avoid this, it’s vital that you brush twice per day, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly.
Flossing could help prevent:
- Tooth and bone loss
- Receding gums
- Bleeding gums
Reduce Bad Breath
Flossing could help keep bad breath at bay. When food is trapped between your teeth, it begins to decay. If you don’t remove these particles, it could lead to bad breath. Not only could it cause bad breath, but it could begin eroding your tooth enamel.
How to Floss Effectively
If you have trouble flossing properly, speak with your dentist and dental hygienist. First, break off between 18-24 inches of floss. Wrap the floss around both of your middle fingers. Have only about 1-2 inches for your teeth. Hold the floss with your thumbs and index fingers. Place it between your teeth and glide it up and down. Ensure to rub it against both sides of each tooth. Curve the floss at the tooth’s base to form a C shape. This lets the floss enter the space between your teeth and gums.
Repeat as you move from tooth to tooth. The best time to floss is right before you brush your teeth. The types of floss include:
- Waxed and unwaxed thread (most effective and most recommended)
- Floss picks (great for travel)
- Air flossers (air pressure to push the debris out)
- Water floss (water flushes the debris out)
The Various Benefits of Floss
After exploring this guide, you should see the various benefits of floss. Don’t delay on cleaning your mouth today.
Are you ready to find a dentist who listens to your needs and ensures that you have a clean and healthy mouth? Then, contact us today! We’ll come up with an effective treatment plan for your child. We specialize in helping children feel comfortable with going to the dentist. We offer soothing services such as IV sedation, Nitrous Oxide, Oral Conscious Sedation, and more to make it more comfortable.
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