Flossing has many benefits. The drawbacks? None—save the several minutes it tacks on to your daily oral hygiene routine. Rest assured this is time well spent. Keep reading to learn why.
Why is flossing important?
Flossing is a way to clean the spaces between your teeth and along your gum line—everywhere your toothbrush can’t get to. These hard-to-reach areas harbour destructive microbes that generate plaque.
Plaque buildup can quickly lead to gum disease. Symptoms include:
- Red and swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Painful gums
- Bad breath
- Loose or shifting teeth
Furthermore, infected gums become a hotspot for further bacteria growth. Left untreated, gum disease can result in serious conditions such as respiratory infections and heart disease.
The gravity of these potential oral health issues are reason enough to get flossing. In just a few minutes a day you can combat gum disease and avoid the extensive treatments needed by those who are afflicted with it.
How to floss
Flossing is easy to do. Wrap a piece about 15 to 18 inches long around your index fingers. Then, sliding it in the spaces between your teeth, clean the sides of the adjacent teeth with an up-and-down scrubbing motion and clean the space between the gum and teeth with a back-and-forth, or sawing, motion. Floss at least once a day.
If you aren’t used to flossing and your gums begin to bleed, start off with a soft floss. Don’t let bleeding or pain put you off flossing. Generally this only tells you that you’ve been neglecting flossing for too long.
If you have trouble handling floss, look into alternatives such as floss picks, interdental brushes and electric flossers. Speak with your dentist if you require a demonstration on proper flossing techniques.
Dental clinic in Edmonton
Brushing and flossing are essential to good oral health. So is regular visits to your dentist for teeth cleaning.
Janz Family Dental helps you get a clean and healthy mouth and a great smile. We offer complete children’s dental services and know how to make a kid’s visit to the dentist a pleasant one. We also provide cosmetic dentistry services such as fittings for custom veneers and teeth whitening treatments. To make an appointment with an experienced Edmonton dentist, contact us today.
