One of the most important oral hygiene habits you can practice is flossing — unfortunately, it’s also one of the most commonly skipped practices for many Americans. In fact, according to one survey performed by Delta Dental, only 40% of Americans floss daily, while 20% say they never floss — yikes! As your relied upon Lincoln Dentistry, West Gate Dental always stresses the importance of proper and regular flossing habits — including how to properly floss, how often, and the benefits to flossing those pearly whites!
How Do I Properly Floss?
Begin with a piece of floss roughly 18” in length and gently wrap the ends around your index fingers, holding it taught with your thumbs and leaving about 2” of floss to work with. Carefully slide the floss between two of your teeth using a gentle back-and-forth motion, working the floss down to the base of the tooth. Then, move the floss up and down the sides of each tooth and around the base, carefully scraping away the plaque build-up. Be gentle and avoid snapping the floss against your gums, which can irritate or even cut your gums. To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion as before to carefully slide the floss out from between your teeth. Using these same sets of motions, clean in between each tooth, using a clean section of floss each time.
How Often Should I Floss?
To ensure healthy teeth and gums, you should be flossing at least once per day. The ideal time to floss is at night while preparing for bed, so that any food debris and plaque build-up from throughout the day is removed. If you notice your gums feeling irritated or bleeding during or after flossing, be extra cautious to make sure you aren’t being too forceful, and speak to your Lincoln dentist as soon as possible — bleeding, inflamed, or irritated gums can also be signs of gum disease.
The Benefits of Flossing
Regular, thorough flossing is paramount to great oral hygiene. Unfortunately, toothbrushes can’t quite reach all the areas between our teeth, and if food particles and plaque are allowed to build-up for too long, tooth decay and gum disease can set in, leading to a myriad of oral health issues in the future if left untreated. Good flossing simply allows you to reach those tight spaces that toothbrushes can’t, leading to all-around improved oral hygiene. If you have additional questions about the benefits of flossing, your local Lincoln dentistry would be happy to tell you more.
Schedule a Visit with Your Lincoln Dentist
Flossing is imperative to healthy teeth and gums, and understanding the process is the first step to better oral hygiene. If you have questions about flossing or your oral health in general, your local Lincoln dentist at West Gate Dental is here to help. As your trusted Lincoln dentistry, our doctor and staff pay close individual attention to each patient in order to ensure optimal oral health. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our available treatments, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthier smile!