How Important Is Flossing?

Flossing your teeth is often seen as secondary in importance to brushing your teeth – but it shouldn’t be! Flossing is an essential part of your at-home oral health and will help reduce teeth decay and cavities, especially between your teeth. Consistent flossing removes the plaque and food particles stuck between your teeth, helping prevent interproximal cavities. Ideally, you should floss after each meal or at least once per day. When regular flossing is combined with twice-daily brushing and twice-yearly dental cleanings, your oral health will greatly benefit!

 

How To Properly Floss Your Teeth

One of the biggest issues surrounding flossing is that many people aren’t sure how to do it properly. The most effective way to floss is by using a roll or box of dental floss rather than flosser picks. Use a piece of floss about a foot and a half in length, winding each side around your middle fingers. Pull tight and use the remaining one to two inches of floss between your fingers to remove the plaque from between each pair of teeth. Be careful not to be too rough in the places where the gap in your teeth meet your gums, as this can scratch and bruise your gums. After each tooth, use a clean section of the floss by rotating the strand around your middle fingers. Once each gap has been flossed, rinse your mouth well with water or an antiseptic mouthwash! 

 

What Are The Benefits Of Flossing?

Flossing has several benefits, both for cosmetic and health reasons. The first benefit of flossing is that it can help whiten your teeth. When you combine flossing with other good oral health practices, you can have a beautiful smile that you’ll be proud of! The next benefit of flossing is that it will help prevent tooth decay and cavities. Interproximal cavities, or cavities between the teeth, can be prevented by regular flossing and brushing, ensuring that no food particles or plaque are stuck in between the teeth for long periods of time. One more important benefit of flossing is that it helps prevent gum disease. Plaque buildup can lead to inflammation and eventually gum disease, so removing the plaque between your teeth with floss is essential. When you combine flossing with regular teeth brushing and dental cleanings, you can have a healthy smile that you’ll be proud to show off!

 

Contact Gentle Dental Maine!

If you have any questions about the importance of flossing or have any dental needs in Southern Maine, please don’t hesitate to contact Gentle Dental! We provide professional family dentistry services at each of our offices in South Portland, Biddeford, and Topsham. Give us a call at any one of our offices, or if you’re not yet a patient with us, please fill out the new patient form on our website!