A lot of us neglect to floss. Not because we’re bad people or don’t care about our dental hygiene, but because it just seems to be too much of a hassle. But it’s really not. Here’s some information on why it’s so important, as well as tips on how you can easily make flossing a part of your daily dental routine.
Why You Need to Floss
There are a lot of different kinds of floss. Some brands are thick, while others are thin. Some brands are even flavored. Whatever type you buy, it’s critically important that you do it at least once a day – every day.
The reason is that brushing and using mouthwash simply aren’t enough to get rid of all the plaque that accumulates on your teeth. If you don’t get rid of plaque, it can lead to bad breath and other, more serious problems. These include gum disease and cavities. The more plaque that builds up, the harder it is to get rid of.
But if you brush, use mouthwash and floss, that’s a powerful combination for dental health. Doing all of that can remove as much as 80 percent of the plaque in your mouth. Regular dental cleanings can get rid of the rest.
How to Do It
It doesn’t really matter what time of day you floss, as long as you do it at least once. Many people prefer doing it at night before bedtime, but whatever time is convenient for you will work.
- The first thing you do is to get about a foot or so of floss out of the container. Hold each end tightly.
- Position the floss between two teeth and then curve it in a C-shape around one tooth.
- Slowly rub the tooth with the floss to loosen plaque and other debris. It’s best to do this at the gum line.
- Then repeat the process with all of your other teeth.
And that’s it. That’s all there is to it. Do this every day and you’ll greatly reduce the risk for dental problems. If you want more information or you’d like to schedule a dental checkup, call Angleton Family Dental at (979) 308-4450 or use our convenient online form.
