When it comes to oral care, everyone knows brushing is important. However, many people still struggle with daily flossing. Sometimes people will make excuses for not flossing, saying something like “but I brush my teeth really well” or “food never gets stuck in my teeth.” No matter the excuse, flossing is still an essential part of daily oral healthcare. Smiles of Bellevue will take the time to explain and educate each of our patients the importance of flossing and brushing, as well as tips for how to floss and brush properly.
Knowing why flossing is important is the first step in making daily flossing part of your oral healthcare routine. For those who say that food never gets stuck between their teeth, we must first explain why flossing is so essential.
Contrary to popular belief, flossing is not actually designed to remove food from the teeth. Rather, flossing is used to remove the plaque that builds up between our teeth and along the gum lines. Everyone gets plaque, and everyone also knows plaque buildup can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. The only way to remove this plaque is through flossing and your twice yearly deep clean from the dentist here at Smiles of Bellevue.
Knowing how to floss properly is the next step in using good oral healthcare. What the most important thing to know when using floss is how it glides along your teeth. When the floss reaches the gum line, WebMD explains to make a c-shape with the floss on the tooth to go up and down in the c-shape motion from tooth to gum. Repeat the process with the tooth on the other side of the gum. Then, repeat this process with all of your teeth. Remember to give your back molars extra attention, as most gum diseases occur in the back of the mouth.
To floss or not to floss is the question most people ask themselves. Here at Smiles of Bellevue, we will be happy to answer that question and educate you on basic flossing 101, as well as extra tips to keep your mouth clean between cleanings. Stop by our wellness family dentistry office in Bellevue Washington and learn all you need to know about oral healthcare and good mouth hygiene.
