Even though all dentists recommend that you floss after brushing, a recent study showed that only 30% of the American population actually flosses their teeth daily. After all, it’s yet another added step to your morning routine, and if you’ve already brushed your teeth and sloshed around some mouthwash, what’s the use for floss?
Is Flossing Necessary?
While may seem like another tedious step in the dental care process, there’s a good reason why flossing is so important. Dental floss is the only tool that was made to remove plaque and food particles from the tight spaces between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Not properly cleaning those spaces can leave you vulnerable to developing cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay no matter how many times you brush your teeth. It may be an extra minute added to your morning and evening routines, but it will save you even more time and money spent at your dentist’s office in the future, whether it is for deep cleanings or for extractions.
How to Floss Easily
Take a large string of floss and wrap the ends tightly around your middle fingers, leaving a few inches between your fingers to clean your teeth. Make a “C” shape with the floss between your thumb and middle fingers for extra control and make gentle up-and-down motions with the floss between your teeth, making sure to follow the gum line for a more thorough clean. Make your way down the entire string of floss to use the cleanest sections between your teeth.
Know Your Options
Even if the above instructions sound intense, know that flossing has never been easier. Gone are they days when your only option was to wrestle with winding a long piece of floss in between your teeth. Thin floss, thicker dental tapes, floss picks, threaders, and other interdental cleaning tools are widely available and popular so you can choose what is most comfortable easiest for you. Although many dentists believe that traditional floss is more effective at cleaning between your teeth than newer interdental cleaning tools, using a floss pick when you’re in a rush is much better than not doing anything at all.
Even if you do floss twice a day, it is still important to schedule routine dental cleanings and checkups to make sure that you’re teeth are both clean and healthy. Our staff here at Arlington Dental Center is happy to assist you with all of your questions and concerns. Contact us to schedule an appointment!
CONTACT US