Do I Really Need to Floss?

You are probably like most people – you brush your teeth twice a day and may, on occasion, use mouth wash as an extra rinse. But like most people, you probably don’t floss as much as you should. 

Although brushing your teeth twice a day is recommended, by omitting flossing, you aren’t cleaning your teeth as well as you could.

So What Does Flossing Really Do?

Whereas brushing works to clean the surfaces of teeth, flossing is able to reach the spaces in between teeth that a toothbrush can’t clean. Mouthwash is capable of killing some plaque-forming bacteria, but it still cannot reach the spaces in between teeth.

By flossing once a day, you are ridding your teeth of plaque, which will form into tartar if left untreated. Tartar emerges when plaque hardens onto the teeth, and it can only be removed by a dentist. The longer tartar remains on the teeth, the more likely you are to contract gum disease. 

Flossing helps improve oral health by removing plaque from those hard-to-reach areas of the teeth and can prevent tartar and gum disease in the long run.

So How Do I Floss?

To floss correctly, first choose a dental floss that suits your needs. Unravel approximately 18 inches of dental floss and wrap it around your forefinger – holding it in place with your thumb. Gently wedge the floss in between each tooth, making a “C” motion as your clean each tooth – make sure to floss your back molars. Use a clean piece of dental floss as your current piece becomes more worn. 

Once you’re finished, you may use mouthwash to rid your mouth of any leftover bacteria.

Call Us Today!

If you are flossing for the first time in a while, you may feel some pain or bleeding – this is normal! As you begin to floss regularly, any discomfort will begin to dissipate.

For more information about the services we provide or to schedule an appointment with Dr. David Novak, contact our High Point dental office today!