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Cleaning between your teeth is vital to maintaining good oral hygiene. This is why, every time you visit your dentist, your dentist advises you to floss daily. Dental floss is a thin, soft, and flexible thread made of nylon or plastic that is used to clean between your teeth.
If you have been ignoring your dentist’s advice and are flossing only when you have something stuck in your teeth, you need to know that flossing is necessary for your overall health.
Let’s talk about why flossing is necessary, how you can floss properly to maintain your oral health, and where you can find the best dental care in Eugene, Oregon.
Why Should You Floss?
Flossing is for everyone who still has most of their teeth in their mouth, whose teeth aren’t jammed together, and whose gums have not receded, leaving triangular gaps between the teeth.
Flossing is necessary to get rid of the plaque build-up between your teeth and remove the food particles stuck between your teeth.
The plaque build-up inside your teeth is a complex ecosystem of about 800 different types of bacteria. Brushing is ineffective at removing all dental plaques as the bristles of your brush can’t reach all the areas with plaque. The plaque left for long enough in your teeth can lead to the cavities and gum diseases (such as inflammation of the gums). Flossing daily removes the plaques. Studies have also shown that flossing and brushing can significantly reduce gum diseases such as gingivitis compared to brushing alone.
Plus, over time, a plaque on your teeth and gums is hardened by the minerals in your saliva and forms a white chalky substance called calculus. The calculus is home to many bacteria, and once formed, it is impossible to remove calculus without the need for special dental tools.
Moreover, the bacteria hidden in your mouth can also result in bad breath. Flossing daily removes the hidden bacteria and reduces bad breath.
How to Floss Correctly?
If you’ve decided to incorporate flossing into your daily routine, you can follow the tips below to floss correctly.
- Take about 12 to 18 inches of floss and warp its ends around your middle fingers
- Hold the floss between your thumb and forefingers and gently move it between your teeth
- Use a gentle rubbing motion to clean between your teeth
- Curve the floss into a C shape against one tooth at your gum line
- Slide the floss gently into the space between your gum and tooth
- Use up and down motion to move the floss
- Repeat this procedure for all your teeth until all are clean
You can floss once or twice a day and before and after brushing. Do not reuse the floss.
There is a variety of floss available in the market, and you can do some trial-and-error to see which type of dental floss works best for you.
Dental Cleaning in Eugene, Oregon
If you or your loved one need the care of a dental expert, visit us at 360 Dental. Our dental expert Dr. Ari Binder has years of experience in helping men, women, and children achieve beautiful, dazzling, and healthy teeth by providing them with the high-quality, comprehensive dental care they need. We also provide our patients with useful information so that they can take better care of their oral health.
If you would like to make an appointment with us, call us today at (541) 689-1645 or use our convenient online form.
