In order to preserve your dental health, you need to maintain proper oral hygiene standards. Flossing is one such practice that is entailed within the oral hygiene regime. It refers to the process of cleaning the narrow gaps between your teeth. Moreover, an interdental cleaner is used to practice the process of flossing. According to the American Dental Association, the habit of flossing needs to be practiced at least once a day, after brushing the teeth.
Most people usually reject the idea of flossing. When you don’t floss, you are leaving the remaining 35% of the tooth’s surfaces unclean. Be honest, are you flossing as much as you should be?
Why Flossing is necessary?
We develop many new habits over time. Some make a ritual of wiping toilet seats before using them, while others, routinely reach out for their mobile phones the moment they opened their eyes in the morning. But why has flossing always been a challenge to many?
The better question is, why do you need to floss?
It is imperative to note that if you want to maintain good dental hygiene, you must floss. Since flossing involves cleaning between your teeth, you can eliminate the risk of cavities or gum diseases to a greater extent. In addition to this, you can also obliterate the risk of plaque and tartar that can damage your gum line.
Without proper flossing, you will be exposed to the risk of bacteria build-up in your mouth, which can ultimately erode the enamel of your teeth, and cause dental carries. You will also be forced to indulge in various complicated dental treatments, because of this build-up. This is why flossing is necessary.
Bad Breath
Plaque & Cavities
Bleeding Gums & Gum Diseases
Not practicing daily dental hygiene, including flossing, increases the likelihood of sensitive teeth and swollen gums. These inflamed gums can progress to bleeding gums and eventually lead to gum disease. If left untreated, it can result in infections and periodontal diseases. This is one more reason why flossing is necessary to prevent these problems and maintain good oral hygiene.
Benefits of Flossing
Improved Appearance
If so, you need to incorporate flossing into your oral hygiene regime. Let the appearance of your teeth be a visual reminder to floss. Moreover, flossing is a terrific and natural way to brighten your teeth and strengthen your gumline. Thus, the combination of healthy teeth and sound oral hygiene makes up for a gleaming smile.
Prevents Dental Problems
According to the studies furnished by the American Academy of Periodontology, excessive build-up of plaque can corrode your teeth and lead to gum diseases. This can cause further complications to your overall health such as narrowing of the arteries, cardiovascular diseases, and much more. Also, flossing helps to avoid other dental issues such as:
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Tooth and bone loss
Flossing avoids dental intervention
As per the dentists’ recommendations, if people had consistently practiced regular flossing of their teeth, they can avoid complex dental procedures. As the saying goes:
Avoid the sound of the dental drill by flossing your teeth once a day
Freshen your breath
Thus, with a freshened breath, you can radiate confidence in your daily life.
How to Make Flossing a Habit?
Choose a Trigger
Start with a simple and obvious trigger. This is the same as setting a reminder to floss. You may opt to floss before going to bed. If brushing after dinner is already a solid routine for you, make sure to keep your floss where your toothbrush is, and reach out for your floss before brushing your teeth. This way, you reduce your chances of forgetting about it.
Keep it easy
You don’t need to be in front of a bathroom mirror to floss. You can easily turn floss into a habit by strongly upholding its use wherever you go. For instance, just like keeping spare change squirreled everywhere for emergencies, keep a stash of floss in your car, bag, or office drawer. Also, the use of portable flossing devices such as a flossing stick will help you to floss your teeth, whenever the thought kicks in.
Focus on the positive
There is a plethora of positives to flossing, which extends from the health of your teeth and gums to enhancing your overall appearance. Instead of thinking of flossing as a chore, enjoy the feeling of having clean teeth! Flossing also means you’re always ‘photo-ready’. Who would want to be forever caught in pictures with bits of salad in between their teeth anyway?
Flossing Care Tips
Listed below are some of the tips that will help you to exercise the flossing habit with care:
- Unfamiliar objects to clean teeth: Do not use unfamiliar items such as a fork, safety pins, knife, etc., to clear the dirt stuck between your teeth. As a result of this, you may experience bleeding gums or even severe toothache. Hence, only use conventional flossing since these unfamiliar items can harm the teeth.
- Flossing at a young age: Instil the habit of flossing among children at a young age. This will help encourage them to floss daily and maintain excellent oral hygiene. It can also help to avoid the risks of dental caries amongst kids and enhances the development of their adult teeth.
- Only use Dental Tools: Only make use of tools that are designed to clean your teeth. Case in point, string floss, tiny brushes, etc. These familiar cleaning tools will help preserve the health of your gums and teeth and ensures that only clean dental products enter your mouth.
- Using the correct Flossing Tool: Make sure to use the appropriate flossing tool. For instance, if the debris is stuck in the hard-to-reach places of your mouth, you can use “dental picks” for this purpose. Similarly, if you have braces on your teeth or any other dental work which makes flossing difficult, then make use of “water flossers” or “floss threaders”.
- Consult your Dentist: Do not get muddled or overwhelmed by the extensive variety of flossing options available to you. Instead, before selecting a dental floss of your choice, always make sure to consult your dentist. They will recommend a suitable flossing appliance that will suit all your oral hygiene needs.
- Using the Correct Flossing Technique: There are different flossing techniques to follow. So, be sure to pick a flossing method that best suits your dental needs. Cleaning between the narrow gaps of your teeth can be challenging. However, by using the right approach to oral hygiene, you can maintain a lifetime of great smiles.
- Routine Dental Check-up: Although our dentists recommend flossing to clean your teeth and avoid further dental work, you still need to visit the dentist regularly to make sure all the vital components of your mouth are in good condition. Sometimes if the debris is just too much for the toothbrush or the floss to handle, you may need to get your teeth professionally cleaned.
