When was the last time you flossed? If your answer is within 24 hours, or even just a couple of days ago, congratulations! On the contrary, if you can’t remember the last time you flossed or if it’s been more than a few days, you’ll need to take your flossing regimen up a notch. Your family dentist, hygienist, and even published articles/advertisements stress the importance of daily flossing, but do you know why?
Continue reading to learn why flossing is so important and a guide on how to floss properly. Your teeth and gums will thank you, and your overall smile will be healthier!
The Importance of Flossing
Brushing twice daily is an excellent way to keep teeth and gums healthy. But did you know that brushing alone only removes about 60% of plaque? There’s still a large percentage of plaque and food remaining in your mouth after brushing, and only flossing can remove the rest.
While brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is an excellent way to keep teeth clean, adding in flossing once a day offers additional benefits. For one, every time you glide floss between your teeth, it’s removing pieces of food that get stuck between your teeth throughout the day. Failure to remove these food particles can cause plaque buildup, bad breath, tartar, and cavities. While these oral health issues are concerning, not flossing can also cause other health concerns: heart conditions, diabetes complications, and an increased risk of infections, to name a few.
Dangers of Not Flossing
Many people view flossing as mundane upkeep that they have to do, but did you know that only a small percentage of U.S. adults actually floss as they should? According to the National Library of Medicine, around 32% of U.S. adults floss daily, with females flossing more than males. Those 75+ floss more than any other age group at 34%, while only 27% of adults aged 30-44 floss daily. While it’s common for adults to skip flossing in their oral hygiene routines, it’s paramount that they not skip it.
Did you know that there’s a link between heart health and oral health? Research has proven that those with periodontal disease have an increased risk of developing heart disease. Heart disease isn’t just a genetic disease; those who are overweight, smoke, consume large amounts of alcohol, have high cholesterol, or are 45 or older have an increased risk of developing heart disease.
Though there’s a link between oral infections and heart problems, most oral conditions, diseases, and infections can be reversed, greatly reducing your risk of developing heart disease. Luckily, many oral health issues and other health conditions can be prevented by adding daily flossing to your routine. However, you must floss properly to ensure you’re removing plaque and food particles.
A Step-By-Step Guide for How to Floss Properly
Ready to add daily flossing to your oral routine? While flossing is easy, you’ll want to ensure you’re flossing properly. Below is a step-by-step guide for how to floss properly so you can get the most out of your flossing routine:
Step 1: Wrap About 18” of Floss Between Two Fingers on Oppostie Hands
You’ll want to ensure you’re using enough floss to give you a tight hold and enough flossing material to remove plaque. A string of about 18” of floss is a great amount to wrap comfortably yet tightly around a finger on each hand while offering enough floss to get between the teeth. Once you have about 18” of floss, wrap some around your forefinger and middle fingers on both hands, and bring the two fingers closer together so you have about an inch of floss between both hands.
Step 2: Move the Floss Gently
Next, take your floss and slide it between each tooth, rubbing up and down gently to ensure you’re removing plaque. Make sure to slide the floss between each tooth, carefully reaching under the gums. You never want to be rough; gently pull the floss under the gums rather than forcing it.
Step 3: Repeat Until Complete
Using a clean section of your 18” of floss, repeat step 2 on each tooth, carefully gliding the floss between each tooth and under the gums. You’ll want to repeat this process until all—including those near missing teeth—have been properly flossed.
Flossing adds a few minutes to your oral health routine, but if done daily, it can help prevent cavities. Daily flossing not only keeps your teeth cleaner and helps prevent cavities, but it also keeps your gumline cleaner, removing plaque and preventing tartar from building up. When plaque isn’t removed and is left to collect along the gumline, it can cause several oral health concerns: bad breath, cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Trust Rhoades Family Dentistry with Your Family’s Oral Health Care
Rhoades Family Dentistry’s team of professionals includes dentists and hygienists who have extensive schooling and training. Dr. Hahn and Dr. Driscoll are members of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the International Association of Orthodontics, among many other organizations. They can guide you through the flossing process to ensure you’re flossing properly and answer any questions you have.
Rhoades Family Dentistry offers dental care for the entire family, including routine cleanings, preventative maintenance, fillings, and more. Dr. Hahn and Dr. Driscoll care about your family’s oral health and are here to recommend the best oral hygiene practices for your entire family, including Invisalign and braces, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, whitening, and more.
Book an appointment today by scrolling up and clicking “BOOK AN APPOINTMENT” on the top left of your screen or by calling (913) 782-8900. We look forward to serving you with excellent dental care and helping your family achieve healthy smiles!
