Why Is Everyday Flossing So Important?

When you visit the dentist’s office for a regular cleaning, Comprehensive Dentistry will usually ask about your home dental care habits. These questions will usually include “are you brushing your teeth twice a day?” and “do you floss daily?” We ask these questions because your at-home dental care is just as important as visiting the dentist. But why is it so important to floss daily? Keep reading to find out!

The Importance of Everyday Flossing

The foundation of lifelong dental health is brushing and flossing your teeth daily. Dental experts and The American Dental Association recommend flossing at least once a day. This simple habit is critical to dental health because brushing alone isn’t enough to protect your teeth. Flossing removes food particles and bacteria from hard-to-reach areas between your teeth and prevents plaque buildup. Removing plaque buildup also prevents health risks like cavities, tooth decay and damage, and gum disease.

Everyday Flossing Methods

We know that flossing can be a tedious task. However, flossing is too important to your dental health to skip! Thankfully, there is more than one way to floss your teeth. Here are just a few examples of ways to floss at home:

• String Floss: This method is probably the one you are most familiar with. Simply take a strand of floss, wrap it carefully around your pointer finger and pinch with your thumbs to keep the floss in place. Then carefully move the floss in between your teeth. This method is extremely effective and is both simple and affordable!
• Floss Picks: Floss picks are similar to string floss. The main difference is that the floss is strung between two ends of a plastic pick. This means you don’t have to wrap the floss around your fingers, and the small design of the floss pick can be easier to move around your mouth. Store a few of these in your bag to use on the go or between meals!
• Water Flossing: This method of flossing is more recent than traditional string floss. Instead of using a strand of floss, water flossing uses pressurized water to gently remove food and plaque from your teeth. Most water flossing tools have customizable settings to control the speed and pressure of the water. This is a wonderful tool for individuals with sensitive gums or braces!

Talk with Your Dentist

If you have questions or feel like you’re not flossing properly, ask us for help! During your next appointment, we can show you the proper flossing technique and provide valuable tips to make flossing easier. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment!