The Importance of Flossing Your Teeth

Are you the type of person who only flosses right before your dental appointment twice a year? Do you dislike being told to floss more? Or are you the type who flosses after every meal? Many of us do not floss as often as we should even though it is an important part of our daily oral hygiene routine. Unfortunately, brushing twice a day is not enough to keep our mouth clean and healthy. Flossing cleans the areas between our teeth that our toothbrushes can’t reach. 

What is the benefit of flossing on a regular basis?

Flossing removes food debris and plaque that tends to stick in between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot get to. The teeth then become more susceptible to cavities and gum disease if the plaque is allowed to sit on the teeth for long periods of time.

When should I floss?

It doesn’t matter if you floss before or after you brush, just make sure you floss regularly!

What type of floss should I use?

There are so many different types of floss and floss aides, it really comes down to personal preference. All of them work if used properly. For those who have trouble reaching certain areas in the mouth with regular floss, a dental pick, interdental brush or even a water flosser may be a better option.

Once you start flossing, the gums and teeth may be sore at first or may even bleed a little bit. These symptoms will go away after you develop a regular routine and the gums get used to the floss. Flossing shouldn’t be painful, so if you are experiencing pain try being a little gentler with the floss as you go in between the teeth. You do not want to damage the teeth or gums by flossing too hard.
 At O’Connor Dental Care, we know how important flossing is and encourage our patients to add flossing to their daily routine to improve the overall oral health of their mouths. Give us a call today to schedule your next cleaning so we can congratulate you on a great flossing routine!