Of all the things you can do to maintain a healthy mouth, flossing has got to be the least expensive! But many patients don’t take the time to floss. And if you do, you might not be doing it correctly! Welcome to Flossing 101…
Why should you floss?
Your toothbrush isn’t enough to remove plaque that can build up between teeth and at the gumline. A complete dental routine includes both brushing and flossing. Flossing helps prevent decay from developing between the teeth.
How often should you floss?
Once a day is ideal. Believe it or not, flossing more often (or with more rigor) can damage your gums. The only exception to once-a-day flossing is if you need to remove pieces of stringy or sticky foods that get stuck after eating. Don’t leave those in there for too long.
Should you floss before or after brushing?
A study published by Journal of Periodontology found that flossing before brushing significantly reduced plaque found between the teeth as compared to flossing after brushing. 25 dental students were evenly split into floss-brush and brush-floss groups and the results even confirmed that fluoride retention was higher in the floss-brush group when using a toothpaste containing fluoride.
How should you floss?
First, pull out about 18 inches of floss. Wind the floss tightly around your index or middle fingers on both hands so that the floss between your hands is taut. Slide the floss between each set of teeth that touch and where your last molar meets your gums. Slide the floss up and down the teeth, following the natural curve of each tooth in a “C” shape. Imagine the floss giving each tooth a little hug! Floss between teeth and where your teeth meet your gums. Use a new clean section of floss for each set of teeth.
Don’t forget that even the best brushers and flossers develop plaque build-up over time, so it’s important to schedule regular cleanings and check-ups with your dentist as part of a healthy dental routine! Request your next check-up with us at our Hanahan or North Charleston location.