You may squirm a bit when your hygienist asks if you floss every day. Most adults don’t brush their teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes at a time, either. The American Dental Association recommends twice a day brushing and flossing at least once a day for optimum oral health. Why is flossing so important? Here’s a hint: it’s not to keep the floss companies in business.
The Only Interdental Cleaning Technique
While brushing cleans the tops and outer surfaces of teeth, flossing is the only option that gets to those tricky spots in between the teeth. Whether you use traditional floss, dental flossers, or an interdental brush, it’s important to clean the tiny spaces between teeth where plaque can hide and build up, leading to cavities and gum disease.
Why is Flossing Important?
Gingivitis is an irritation and swelling of the gums caused by plaque buildup and microbes that live in the teeth. When left untreated, gingivitis causes the gum tissue to become red and inflamed, and to bleed easily, creating, even more, areas for bacteria to take hold and thrive. Gingivitis leads to periodontal disease. The resulting bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, leading to major infections. The same dental plaque that leads to gingivitis shelters the harmful bacteria that attack the enamel of your teeth, and may cause cavities between the teeth.
How To Floss
Flossing need not be a time-consuming process. Done correctly, flossing can be completed in just a few minutes each day. Start with about 18 inches of floss, and wind most of the floss around your middle fingers, leaving a few inches to work with. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers, and slide it gently up and down between each tooth. As you move to each new space, re-wind the floss so that you’re using a clean section for each tooth. Slide the floss gently between your teeth, using a back-and-forth motion to clean any plaque or debris from the gap. Put gentle pressure on each tooth as you move up and down, ensuring that you clean each tooth thoroughly. Avoid pressing the floss against the gums. Proper flossing not only helps you keep your smile whiter; it helps ensure ongoing dental health.