Hate Flossing?
Do you dread flossing your teeth each day? Well, if you do, you’re not alone. Many people skip out on their daily flossing because they find it annoying, painful, or time-consuming. In fact, a study from the American Academy of Periodontology revealed some interesting statistics. The study found that more than a quarter of adults in the United States were dishonest with their dentist about how often they floss. Researchers also found that more than a third would rather do an unpleasant activity over flossing daily. These unpleasant activities included washing a sink full of dirty dishes, sitting in gridlock traffic, and cleaning the toilet. We can definitely understand why some people dislike flossing each day, but it’s no excuse not to do it. Flossing is an essential component of oral care that can’t be compensated with additional brushing.
Top 5 Reasons to Floss
Flossing should be done daily to remove plaque and bacteria hiding away between teeth and underneath the gum line. Here are the top reasons you should make flossing a priority:
- Prevents Cavities: If plaque and bacteria aren’t removed from your teeth regularly, it will begin to eat away at your teeth. After it eats away at your enamel, the outer hard shell of your teeth, it will quickly reach the pulp of your teeth, which contains the nerves and blood vessels. As a result, many individuals will end up with a toothache or tooth sensitivity.
- Prevents Gum Disease: After plaque isn’t removed for an extended amount of time, tartar will build. Tartar is a brownish substance that can accumulate on teeth and requires a professional to help scrape it off of the teeth. Once tartar builds up where the teeth and gums meet, your gums will swell and you will experience gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and can easily be reversed when you catch it early on. Once you develop a full-fledged gum disease you can begin to experience jawbone loss, shifting teeth, and tooth loss.
- Improves Bad Breath: Hidden food particles can get trapped between your teeth and as they begin to decompose, a bad odor will result. This is one of the main causes of bad breath. If you’re experiencing bad breath often, consider flossing more. You can solve the problem at the root cause by removing the particles instead of masking the odor with mints and gum.
- Make Teeth Look Whiter: You may not realize it but excess bacteria and plaque in between your teeth can make your teeth look dull. Brighten up your smile by removing all of the plaque that has been hiding away in between your teeth.
- Save Money: In the long run, taking time out of your day to floss is more convenient than having to go through treatment to restore your oral health. Not only is treatment inconvenient, it can also get pretty expensive. Save you smile and your wallet by taking the time to floss everyday.
How to Properly Floss
Now that you know the benefits of flossing, let’s explore how to properly floss. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to floss with the correct technique.
- Use about 18 inches of floss and wrap each end around your index fingers to hold the string taut
- Gently slide the floss between each tooth. Make sure you use a clean section of floss for each tooth
- Use a zigzag motion when cleaning between teeth and gently curve the floss so you can remove plaque from beneath the gum line
- Gently guide the floss back up and continue on to the next tooth!
Contact our Office in Baton Rouge, LA
Are you suffering from tooth loss and are in the Baton Rouge, LA area? Barksdale Dentistry has transformed the smiles of many patients with the help of dental implants. You can achieve an aesthetically appealing smile that will last for years to come. You can begin your dental implant journey by calling us to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Barksdale.
