As dental patients, we’ve all been asked countless times how often we floss. We hear this question at nearly every dental appointment. While some of us can honestly say we floss every day, most of us will say we could floss more. The reason your dentist constantly asks about your flossing habits is because flossing is essential to the health of your teeth and gums.
At Cyprus Family Dental, Dr. Cantwell knows the importance of flossing, and that’s why he encourages his patients to do so every day. Alongside brushing, flossing is crucial in maintaining oral health and if you skip out too often, your teeth will become susceptible to decay, while your gums will be prone to infection. Promote better oral health and learn the importance of flossing!
Importance of Flossing: What Your Toothbrush Misses
Though brushing your teeth is also an essential part of maintaining oral health, your toothbrush alone won’t protect your teeth and gums from issues. Brushing works to simply remove the plaque, bacteria, and food debris from the surfaces of your teeth. While this is important, brushing can’t remove such from the gaps in between your teeth.
When bacteria and food debris remain in those gaps your toothbrush can’t reach, they’ll work together to form enamel-destroying plaque. Your teeth need enamel to protect from decay, and if you’re not removing plaque and bacteria effectively, your teeth will be at risk of cavities. Your gums will also be at risk of infection. By flossing, you can properly rid your teeth and gums of harmful bacteria and promote better oral health. With this, the importance of flossing is clear.
Ways to Floss Effectively
When it comes to flossing, every patient has an excuse to skip out every now and then. Whether it be braces or a small mouth, there’s always an excuse to skip flossing, but doing so can truly harm your teeth and gums. As mentioned in a previous blog post, there are several alternatives to using dental floss, and each practice will effectively flush out bacteria and remove plaque. Take a look below:
- Water Flossers: Water flossers use an adjustable stream of water to expel bacteria and food debris from the gaps between your teeth. They’re great for patients with braces, or those who find regular flossing too difficult.
- Soft Picks: Perfect for on-the-go or at-home use, soft picks are easy to use and effective at removing plaque and bacteria from teeth. Designed with rubber bristles, soft picks are comfortable and fit between most teeth.
- Proxy Brushes (Go-Betweens): Essential for patients with braces, proxy brushes can reach underneath wires and between brackets for more effective cleaning. You should also use one of the alternatives above to get in between teeth.
- Floss Picks: Another great tool for on-the-go flossing, floss picks make reaching back molars a simple task. Keep them on you for flossing after meals throughout the day.
Fight Cavities and Floss Today!
There’s no denying it: flossing is absolutely essential to promoting oral health, preventing cavities, and avoiding gum disease. By flossing regularly, at least one a day, you can fend off harmful bacteria and protect your teeth from issues. If you struggle with flossing, be sure to try one of the several alternatives listed above. Of course, you should also visit Cyprus Family Dental in Magna, UT twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Here, Dr. Cantwell can assess your oral health and look for any underlying issues.
Take care of your teeth by contacting Cyprus Family Dental. Give us a call today at (801) 250-0203 to schedule an appointment. You can also contact us here.