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If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day as recommended but skipping flossing, it’s not just your smile that’s at risk. While brushing is important, your toothbrush can’t reach between teeth to remove dental plaque—a sticky biofilm of bacteria. That’s where flossing comes in. Flossing cleans between teeth and below the gumline, removing bacteria that can cause serious oral health issues.
Dental Plaque: The Hidden Threat
Dental plaque, if left unchecked, can lead to cavities and gum disease, including periodontitis—a severe condition marked by inflamed, bleeding, and receding gums. Without flossing, your toothbrush only cleans three out of five tooth surfaces, leaving bacteria to thrive in those hard-to-reach areas. Brushing and flossing together ensure all surfaces of your teeth are cleaned, and it is the only way to scrape plaque away from between your teeth and gums.
Prevent Bacterial Infections
The harmful bacteria in dental plaque don’t just stay in your mouth. If you develop an oral infection, it can enter your bloodstream and spread to other parts of your body, potentially leading to severe health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis, and even Alzheimer’s. Why is flossing important? It plays a crucial role in stopping the spread of these bacteria, protecting both your oral and overall health.
Flossing Is Quick and Easy
Incorporating it into your daily routine doesn’t take much time—just about a minute. All you need to do is find a tool that works best for you and use it consistently every day. This simple step can make a huge difference in your oral hygiene. Here’s how to do it effectively:
Flossing with Traditional Floss:
- Take 18 to 24 inches of floss and wind it around your middle fingers.
- Hold 1 to 2 inches taut between your thumbs and index fingers.
- Gently slide the floss between each tooth, making sure to clean below the gumline.
- Move the floss up and down to remove plaque, being careful not to snap it into your gums.
- Use a new section of floss for each side of your mouth to maintain cleanliness.
Options for Everyone
If traditional dental floss isn’t your preferred method, there are other flossing options to consider:
- Interdental brushes: These tiny brushes can clean between teeth and are especially useful for people with bridges or joint mobility issues.
- Rubber tips or wooden plaque removers: These tools can be used to slide between teeth and loosen debris.
- Water flossers: Water flossers use a pressurized stream of water to clean between teeth and at the gumline.
- Pre-threaded floss picks: These make it easy to scrape away plaque and food particles without having to manage the length of traditional floss.
Who Should Floss?
The simple answer is everyone! However, it is especially important for people with tight spaces between teeth or dental prostheses like implants, bridges, crowns, dentures, or veneers. If you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners, regular flossing is essential to prevent dental plaque from building up and causing complications when the treatment is complete.
When Do Kids Start?
Parents often wonder, when do kids start? The American Dental Association recommends starting to floss your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch. Instilling good flossing habits early helps ensure their oral health stays strong as they grow.
Best Time to Floss: Before or After Brushing?
For the best results, floss before brushing. Flossing first helps to loosen and remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth, allowing your toothbrush to sweep them away effectively. If you floss after brushing, the food and plaque you’ve dislodged will remain in your mouth until the next time you brush.
Conclusion
Flossing is a key component of maintaining a healthy smile and preventing serious health conditions. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day, along with brushing twice a day. By following these tips, you can keep your smile bright and your body healthy. At Lockwood Family Dental, we’re here to help you maintain great oral health for life! Make sure to schedule your next dental cleaning with us and show off your flossing progress!
