Why is Flossing So Important?

Dental floss is one of the most important tools you can use to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Flossing works to protect teeth from tooth decay and cavities, while helping to ensure better overall dental health. Floss, typically made from a nylon or plastic material, is designed to remove food and bacterial build-up from the spaces in between your teeth where decay can develop.

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, reports the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and cavities continue to be an issue into adulthood as well. The National Institute of Dental Health and Craniofacial Research (NIDHCR) states, “92% of adults 20 to 64 have had dental caries in their permanent teeth.”

Benefits of Using Dental Floss

Brushing your teeth at least twice daily is essential to for dental health. However, brushing alone may not always remove all food particles from in between your teeth, especially if your teeth are tightly spaced together. The benefits of flossing are numerous and include but are not limited to:

• Removes solid food particles from in between teeth
• Keeps bacteria from building up between teeth and along the gum line
• Removing bacteria helps reduce plaque build-up
• Helps keep teeth looking whiter

Reducing plaque build-up and bacteria in your mouth with regular flossing also helps to reduce your risk for gum disease. Gum disease, if left untreated, can increase your risk for other serious health issues such as diabetes and heart disease.

Tips for Proper Flossing

Fast flossing, while it may remove a stubborn piece of corn stuck between teeth, it’s not the most effective way for a thorough cleaning. Flossing, to be effective, needs to be done correctly and with care. If you’re pressed for time in the morning, then opt to floss at night before bed. If at bedtime you’re just too sleepy, consider a thorough flossing after dinner.

Always floss at least once a day.

To floss:

• Use about 18-inches of floss and wind it around each middle finger so about two inches of floss remains
• Keep the floss taut and begin sliding it up and down between your teeth, making “C” motion in order to clean around the gum line
• Never press into the gum line
• While moving from tooth to tooth, unwind the floss so it’s always clean floss for each tooth

Fact: The original dental floss was invented by a dentist in New Orleans in 1815.

Can I Floss with Braces?

Yes, you can floss with braces and it’s an essential component to oral health when wearing an orthodontic appliance of any type. Your orthodontist will show you the proper technique for flossing when wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances.