The American Dental Association has established that cleaning the teeth every day helps keep cavities and gum disease from harming your smile. This means that you can brush your teeth to clean the tooth surfaces, but you will still need to find a way to clean the areas between the teeth and around the gumline. This is where flossing comes in, as it can clean the areas your toothbrush can’t.
The thing about flossing is finding a method that works well for you so that you can do it every day without fail. You need to remove the sticky, bacteria-filled biofilm called plaque. This substance is filled with bacteria that feed on the sugar and food particles in your mouth after eating. Plaque releases acids which erode tooth enamel allowing cavities to develop. Plaque that is not removed every day leaves you at greater risk for cavities and gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease.
To stop this from happening to your smile, you may find using a water flosser can make all the difference. This handheld dental tool cleans the areas around your teeth and the tight spaces between them. A water flosser projects a stream of water in pulses that allows it to dislodge food particles and oral debris.
Any water flosser that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance means that it has passed rigorous tests and proven to be safe and effective. Water flossers are a good choice for those patients who have a hard time using conventional flossers. They are also good for people who wear braces or have fixed dental bridges.
To keep your smile healthy, brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, and floss at least once. Use a method that works for you!
Please call 408-779-9393 if you have questions or need to schedule a visit with our one of our dentists, Dr. Haleh Karimian and Dr. Lily Patil. Our Cosmo Dental Office team in Morgan Hill, California is here to help your smile thrive!