Flossing is important for oral health. Despite some fairly misleading national headlines last year, nearly all oral health professionals, including the American Dental Association, believe that flossing daily is essential in the battle against gum disease. What’s more, because it removes debris and plaque from in between teeth, it can help prevent staining, bad breath, and cavities. And, since it takes only a few minutes every day to complete, not flossing makes no sense at all.
How to Floss
Flossing should be done before or after brushing at least once daily. Done before, it can help loosen plaque for easier removal with a toothbrush. Done after, it can further remove debris loosened by the toothbrush. Neither method has proven to be more effective, making when you floss a matter of preference.
To floss:
- Pull a 24 inch section of floss from its box. There needs to be enough floss for a clean section to be used in between each tooth.
- Wrap the ends of the floss around opposite fingers. Some people choose index fingers, others choose index and middle. Experiment to find what feels natural to you.
- Holding the floss taught, glide a clean section, in an up-and-down motion, along the edge of each tooth. Follow a “C” motion to the root, over the peak of the gum, and back down on the other side to remove plaque and debris from below the gum line.
- Repeat until you have flossed in between every tooth in your mouth
Initially, flossing can take some time to get used to, but with practice, this addition to your daily oral hygiene routine can have a profound impact on the health and appearance of your smile in just a few minutes daily.
If you find flossing confusing, don’t worry, we can help. On your next visit with our Houston family dentist we can provide you with individual instruction to ensure you receive all of the benefits offered by this important oral health tool.
To schedule your next visit with Dr. Khavari, please contact Love Brushing Dentistry online or by calling 713-659-0841 today. Located in Houston, we welcome men, women, and children from Sugar Land, Katy, The Woodlands, and all surrounding areas of Texas.
