Most of us know we should floss at least once a day, but the truth is that many of us are not flossing on a daily basis. As many as 30 percent of Americans never floss at all!
If you think about a toothbrush and then you consider all the nooks and crannies in your mouth, it’s common sense to realize that a toothbrush is simply not going to reach all the places your dental floss can. Brushing alone won’t remove the food particles that get stuck in between teeth. Brushing alone cannot get under the gum line to remove bacteria and to help slow down the development of plaque.
At your dentist in 87401, Lusk Family Dentistry, we take the time to show our patients how to brush and floss effectively. Here are the tips we provide our patients.
Proper Flossing Technique
Many people are unsure of what kind of dental floss to use. Our response? Any floss you like, as long as you use it every day. There are many kinds available—waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored. It’s really a matter of personal preference as one kind isn’t necessarily better than the other. If your teeth are close together, waxed might make flossing easier. If you enjoy flavors, then by all means pick a flavored floss.
The process is easy if somewhat painstaking. Pull about 18 inches of floss from the roll and wind each side around your middle fingers, keeping a few inches open in the middle to slide up and down between every tooth. Move the floss to a clean area each time you move to a new tooth.
Be sure to move the floss gently below the gum line. Bacteria settles into those areas, leading to plaque.
The entire process only takes a few minutes—and it can have an enormous impact on your oral health.
Find Out More About Taking Care of Your Oral Health
We are always happy to answer your questions or demonstrate proper techniques at our Farmington, NM dental office. Call us today to make an appointment!