Importance of Flossing

So you’re smart, you knew that the Coronavirus was deadly and you stocked up. You have a whole closet full of toilet roll and 3 cupboards full of pasta.

But it’s now two weeks into lockdown, it’s 4am, you’re ready to get ready for bed and that’s when you suddenly realise… your floss has run out. 

Now what?

Just be calm. Floss isn’t as important as toilet paper… Is it? Let’s discuss how important your floss really is. 

Many of you stick to the basics when it comes to your oral hygiene. Brush twice a day and call it a day. But let’s see, what’s more important? Is flossing even really necessary?

Brushing vs flossing

Brushing and flossing are both actually equally important for your oral health. Brushing only removes plaque from the front and back surfaces of your teeth. Flossing, on the other hand, allows you to remove plaque from between your teeth and underneath the gums. These hard-to-reach spots that you can get to whilst flossing are where the most destructive microbes live and bacteria festers.

Next time you reach for your toothbrush, remember to reach for your floss as well. The simple habit of flossing at least once a day may improve not only your smile, but your overall health too, and it’s easy! 

Hey you have loads of time at home now, spend two minutes of them flossing, at least you have something to do.

A lot of people are reluctant to start flossing because they don’t really know how to. 

How to floss correctly

Flossing is only effective if you do it correctly. Without the right technique, flossing would practically be pointless. If you are a visual learner, there are also many youtube tutorials to teach you the right techniques to need to learn regarding the correct manner in which you should floss. 

Follow these simple steps to become a pro-flosser in no time:

• Using around 18 inches of floss, wrap the ends around your fingertips.
  
• Slide the floss gently between your teeth.
  
• Curve the floss around your tooth and rub it up and down to scrape away plaque.
  
• After you floss, rinse your mouth with mouthwash and brush your teeth.
  
• NEVER use the same piece of floss again, it can fray and collect bacteria then spread it throughout your whole mouth (ew)! 

How important is flossing?

Flossing before you brush your teeth can help make your brushing more effective. With less plaque between your teeth, the fluoride in your toothpaste can access more surfaces of your teeth and gums to help protect them. 

A toothbrush’s bristles cannot adequately clean in between your teeth or under your gums, even with an electric toothbrush. This is where flossing comes in to save the day. In fact, flossing removed up to 40% of the sticky plaque from your teeth while brushing sorts out the other 60%. 

40%! That’s how important flossing is.

Should I brush or floss first? 

As long as you brush and floss correctly and thoroughly, it doesn’t necessarily matter which order you do it in. Some people like to floss before they brush to make sure that any material stuck between the teeth can get removed. Others prefer to brush their teeth first and treat flossing as an extra, in depth cleanse after.

What if my gums bleed when I floss? 

Many people give up on flossing and often think it isn’t for them once their gums start to bleed. But this could happen because you are either flossing too hard or your gums just aren’t used to a flossing routine yet.

Begin by flossing at least once a day will help your gums build a tolerance to being flossed. If you have any concerns about bleeding gums or if the bleeding continues, contact your dentist.

Is flossing really necessary? 

Plaque is as bad as the plague for your oral health. Flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes daily is the most effective way to get rid of it and also try to avoid plaque build up as much as possible. So yes, flossing is necessary before you start to brush your teeth and it will make your brushing way more effective.

With less plaque caught and stuck between your teeth, the fluoride in your toothpaste can be more effective for your teeth. It will be able to access more surfaces of your teeth and gums. This means a healthier, shinier smile, and less money having to be spent on fillings at your next trip to the dentist. 

Floss cleans between teeth and under the gum

There is nothing fun about swollen gums. Floss is specifically designed to remove plaque from the tight spaces between your teeth that cannot be reached through brushing alone. Plaque between your teeth and gum area can harden over time and create tartar. This will need to be removed by your dentist with a scraper. And unaddressed tartar buildup can lead to gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease.

This can all be avoided if you floss regularly.

To put this whole blog simply, if you floss you can avoid gum disease, plaque build up and other nasty oral health problems… seems like a pretty sweet deal to me, but then again I just work here….

Flossing protects against bone loss!

Gum disease is what we all try to avoid which is the main reason why you must keep up with your dental routine. Gum disease is a very serious issue that is scary for your oral health as it can lead to many other problems such as periodontal disease.

GUM DISEASE AGES YOU! 

Gum disease, as horrible as it, has yet ANOTHER drawback — it can age you! It attacks the bones that support your teeth and the lower third of your face. Aesthetically speaking, you tend to look younger even as you age if this part of your facial structure remains strong. Flossing can help you preserve the strength of these bones by protecting your teeth and gums from decay.

Book an Appointment Today

Book an appointment with our dental hygienists now to find out more about how to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Find out more about our dental hygiene services.

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