Flossing is so important to good dental hygiene. Most dentists tell you to floss but never go into detail about its importance. A great place to start is to talk about proper flossing techniques.
You should take the time to floss between each tooth and around the back of each terminal tooth in your mouth, or your very back molars. Flossing should take you about two minutes. You should break it up into sections to ensure you get each tooth. Pay attention to how the hygienist cleans your teeth the next time you visit the dentist. This will be a good guide to properly clean and floss. Fortunately, dental tools have advanced and made it very easy to get the benefits of flossing through water flossing. (Check out the reviews on the best water flossers out there: http://bestreviews.com/best-oral-irrigators)
The first reason you should floss is that it helps to strengthen or toughen up your gums. It can help to remove food debris and any unhealthy or dangerous plaque that can cause a greater issue if it is allowed to grow. Without strong gums, your teeth can become loose, become decayed, or even fall out. You should take time when flossing to pay attention to the gum line to remove all debris.
Another benefit of flossing is that it helps to remove plaque before it has a chance to harden and become difficult to remove. Flossing every day can reduce plaque build-up and can help to prevent tartar. Excessive plaque may be a sign of heart disease and can lead to tooth decay and bad breath. Unhealthy gums can also lead to overall health issues, even contributing to oral cancer.
The last benefit to flossing is that it helps to remove food and other debris that cause bacteria and ultimately cavities. Cavities form when bacteria eats away at the enamel and the tooth itself burrowing into the soft tissue of the tooth. Bacteria needs food to survive, and the less food left on your teeth at night, the less there is for the bacteria to do harm. Brushing and flossing can help prevent decay and cavities in between teeth.
No matter why you choose to floss, flossing can help improve your overall oral and tooth health. Dr. Janet Euzarraga (Dr. E) is a board certified dentist in the Ahwatukee area that can help you to get the best teeth possible. Her practice is full of talented and like-minded professionals that have your oral health on the top of their list of priorities. Visit today to see just what you need to do to get your teeth looking and feeling great once again.