Everyone is typically encouraged to stick to a twice-daily brushing and flossing routine when they see their dental care team, and we all realize toothbrushing is vital for our dental health and general well-being. However, brushing by itself can’t address the entire surface of the tooth. Sometimes bacteria and food particles get stuck in the gums and in between the teeth. Flossing is a great way to cover much more of the tooth’s surface than regular brushing. At DentalWorks – Beaver Valley, we offer a range of preventative dental services to protect your teeth and gums. When combined with twice-daily brushing, flossing can keep your teeth and gums healthy while giving you a gorgeous smile. Learn about the benefits of flossing and how to floss your teeth below. Our Monaca, PA team wants to help you understand that flossing your teeth is essential to the well-being of your smile, no matter your age.
PREVENTING GUM DISEASE IS IMPORTANT
Influencing the dental health of many men, women, and even younger patients, periodontal disease is a potentially serious condition that forms as a result of plaque, which is a stubborn coating that collects on your teeth every day. Plaque develops faster when consuming foods that are high in sugar and starches, so it needs to be removed quickly. Thousands of people suffer from gum disease in the U.S, and it’s not just older individuals: even young people can develop this condition when they don’t stick to a proper oral care routine. Cleaning between the teeth with floss removes bacteria and food particles in areas where a toothbrush can’t reach, which can prevent gum disease from ever forming in the first place.
COULD YOU HAVE CHRONIC BAD BREATH?
Although some individuals aren’t worried about their terrible breath, it’s still an important dental problem that must be fixed. In fact, chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, is more common than people realize. It’s not just an embarrassing social problem; it can sometimes be a sign of disease or illness. At DentalWorks – Beaver Valley, we teach patients the best methods on how to avoid bad breath. While toothbrushing and using mouthwash can certainly help, sometimes the buildup of bacteria and food particles on the teeth is simply too much. Flossing removes the elements that could be causing halitosis.
WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE FLOSSING TECHNIQUE?
Designed to supply consumers with a range of options, floss helps make attaining great dental health easier. The options include waxed or unwaxed, thin or wide, and flavored or unflavored. The type of floss you want is up to you, although if you have questions or concerns, you may want to ask a professional at our Monaca, PA office. We can help you choose a brand that provides maximum comfort and coverage. To start off with, we recommend patients to cut a length of about 18 inches of floss, then wind each end around their fingers to allow about 1 – 2 inches of floss to work with. Holding the floss tightly between the thumbs and index fingers, the next step is to slide the floss between the teeth using a careful back-and-forth motion. It’s important to gently move the floss toward the base of the tooth, reaching below the gumline. Remember to not force the floss down because this may harm the gum tissue. Finally, lift the floss up using the same back-and-forth motion as before. These steps will be repeated as needed to address each tooth.
EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF FLOSSING FOR YOURSELF
When it comes to oral wellness practices, a lot of people flossing optional, though this is obviously not correct. Flossing every day allows patients to gain a cleaner, healthier smile and more beautiful teeth. Speaking with your dentist and trying different flossing options that work best for you can tremendously improve your overall flossing experience. Additionally, it’s important to remember that children need to clean between their teeth just as often as adults. Parents can help their children develop good flossing habits as soon as their teeth start to touch. Find out more about the benefits of flossing at our clinic in Monaca, PA. Our team at DentalWorks – Beaver Valley looks forward to helping you achieve and maintain excellent oral health. We strive to exceed your expectations with treatments that meet each patient’s unique dental needs. Our staff hopes to be your source of comprehensive, high-quality dentistry, whether you require a simple check-up or more complex services. Reach out to us today to set up an appointment at our convenient location. Whether you’re still learning how to floss or require more extensive services, our team is here to help.
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association recommends the proper flossing technique in four easy to follow steps:
Wind: Wind approximately 18 inches of floss around the middle or index finger. Using the middle finger leaves your index finger free to manipulate the floss. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.
Guide: Keep a one- to two-inch length of floss between fingers. Use your index finger to guide the floss between the teeth.
Glide: Guide the floss gently using a zig-zag type of motion. Glide the floss around the side of the tooth, making a “C” type shape as you wrap the floss around the tooth.
Slide: Using your thumb as a guide, slide the floss up and down against the tooth surface, under the gum line, and along the back side of each tooth, removing plaque and debris.
