Importance of flossing
Did you know that almost half the surface of your teeth is actually between them! This is something that most people do not realise, but it is very important to know because it means that brushing your teeth alone is unable to clean all surfaces of your teeth.Removing plaque and from in between your teeth improves the overall health of your teeth and gums as well as reducing the likelihood of gum diseases and tooth decay
Thankfully, there is a simple way to keep all of your teeth healthy. This is flossing.
For flossing it is important to use the right technique. While your dentist is the most qualified person on the correct flossing technique. These are some basic tricks you can follow:
Start with about 45cm of floss and wind most of it around your finger, leaving about 5 cm of floss at the end to work with
Hold the ends of the floss with your thumb and fingers and gently slide it up and down between your teeth
Always remember to use a gentle side to side motion to avoid hurting your gums
Gently go under the curve of each tooth to ensure that you also clean the baseline of each tooth
Remember to use new sections of floss as you clean from tooth to tooth
For long lasting effects it is important to make flossing part of your daily routine. It should be done once a day, morning or night for at least 2 minutes. If you find that you often forget to floss, simple things such as keeping the floss in your shower to use while your conditioner is in can act as a simple reminder to do it on the daily!
Flossing is even more important for people with braces. Flossing gets rid of all the plaque and food particles stuck around the wires. Those with braces may find it more difficult to floss with ordinary dental floss. In these cases it may be more beneficial to purchase an interdental flosser or floss threader.
If you have any questions or are just looking for more tips to flossing, don’t hesitate to ask one of our dentists here at Relax Dental and Facial Care during your next appointment!
*image courtesy of Australian Dental Association