Everyone has been taught to brush each day. However, recent reports have questioned whether clear benefits are obtained from flossing. According to the American Dental Association, flossing plays an essential role in a person's oral hygiene routine. It helps clear bacteria from between teeth and removes plaque that often leads to cavities and gum disease.

Reasons to Floss Each Day:

Even though brushing removes debris from the outside of your teeth, it is difficult for your toothbrush to reach into all the nooks and crannies of your mouth, including in between your teeth. When food and plaque are left to multiply, bacteria grows, and decay and gum disease may develop. If untreated, you may experience tooth loss and other negative health conditions. Also, you may experience bad breath.

How to Floss Properly: 

To gain maximum benefits from flossing, it is important to learn how to do it correctly. You must use approximately 18-inches of floss and wrap it around your middle fingers. As you insert the floss, you must hold it tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. This will provide necessary control. Never jam the string into your mouth. Instead, gently glide the floss along the sides of your teeth and gums. You are finished after you have reached all of your teeth. At first, you may experience slight pain, gum redness, or bleeding. With regular flossing, this will subside in a few days and will not be a problem in the future.

To maintain a beautiful smile, you are advised to brush two minutes everyday. Using a fluoride toothpaste is best. Also, you should floss once a day and visit your dentist on a regular basis. For more dental tips, consult with the experts at Stoner Periodontic Associates. The entire staff is dedicated to upholding patients' total oral health.