How Often Should I Floss?

What better way to display a moment of euphoria and happiness than through a smile? A smile can express a thousand words, and it’s always lovely to show pretty and healthy teeth. Thus, that’s why dental health is so important.

Our smile is a pivotal focal point of our face, and that’s why it’s essential to keep up with excellent dental hygiene. We are all aware of the importance of brushing our teeth to keep it white, healthy, and strong; however, often, one aspect we forget is flossing. Flossing should be practiced daily. We keep track and monitor our general health, and we need to do the same for our teeth.

Flossing: An Essential Part of Oral Hygiene

Although brushing is an essential step in caring for our dental health, it should not be the only one. A toothbrush is just not sufficient enough to reach in between those little spaces between our teeth. We need to be able to get in between the tiny gaps in our teeth, mainly because we are habitually eating. Flossing helps to dispose of food stuck between the teeth, and it helps to remove bacteria build-up that can form plaque. Flossing should be part of everyone’s daily oral hygiene routine.

When we do not floss our teeth can form nasty little problems like plaque or gingivitis. Plaque is not good and can lead to a heap of issues. When plaque is present for a while it can form into tartar on the teeth. Tarter is a mineral deposit that is hard and has to be removed by a professional oral hygienist. When there is a lot of tartar present on the teeth, it can lead to a condition called gingivitis.

 Understanding Gingivitis

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, which is when the gums are swollen and often bleed during brushing. If left untreated, it can lead to mild stages of gum disease or periodontitis. Unfortunately, if that is not cared for promptly, it can transform into a worse gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss. However, flossing will help to remove substances and will aid in preventing any oral health issues and tooth decay. American Dental Association has concluded that floss is a crucial aspect of caring for the teeth and gums.

A lack of flossing can also lead to cavities. Cavities are when the hard surface of your teeth develops a hole. Cavities are also known as tooth decay. Many factors can cause cavities, such as drinking a lot of sugary sodas, lots of snacking, the build-up of bacteria, and not cleaning your teeth properly. Flossing will help to prevent the build-up of sugary sweets that get trapped in between the teeth. If you do not treat your cavities, the hole can grow larger and result in toothaches and possible tooth loss.

Floss can come in various materials such as nylon filaments or plastic monofilaments. It can also come in multiple flavors like mint or cherry to make the process easier to tolerate. It is recommended to use the strand of floss once because continuous use can lead to fray strands, the deposit of bacteria, and a loss of effectiveness. To floss, start with about 18 inches of floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving a little gap. Holding the floss tightly gently move it up and down between your teeth. Floss very gently below the gumline, avoiding any forceful and jerky movements to prevent cutting of the gums. Repeat this all around your teeth and throw away floss when done.

So How Often Should We Floss?

The ADA advises to floss at least once a day. Many people like to floss at various times of the day. Some may want to floss early in the morning or at night before bedtime, or others may want to floss in the evening after a meal. It’s advisable to floss at a time that’s convenient for you and fits your schedule. Frequently, people question if it is better to floss before or after the brushing of your teeth; well, that’s entirely up to you. Essentially, you should be flossing adequately and thoroughly, and the time does not matter. You should take your time to ensure you get hard to reach places.

JC Dentist

If you have never flossed, it’s a brilliant idea to start right now. You can always prevent those pesky tooth problems from occurring. For all of your dental health needs, visit us at Sarasota Dental Office. We can offer advice without judgment and discuss treatment options with you. Contact us today for an appointment.