When it comes to oral hygiene, the first thing that typically comes to mind is brushing your teeth. While brushing is an essential part of any good dental routine, it is important to remember that it is only half the battle. Flossing plays a crucial role in maintaining your oral health, and when combined with brushing, it provides a comprehensive approach to teeth cleaning.
At Dentistry on Sheppard, we are passionate about educating our patients on the importance of proper dental care. In this blog, we’ll explore why flossing is just as important as brushing and why it should be a regular part of your daily oral hygiene routine.
1. Brushing vs. Flossing: Understanding the Difference
Brushing your teeth removes plaque and food particles from the surfaces of your teeth. However, your toothbrush is only effective at cleaning the outer, visible areas of your teeth. The areas between your teeth, where plaque can easily build up, are not effectively reached by a toothbrush alone. This is where flossing comes in.
Flossing involves sliding a thin piece of string or specialized floss between your teeth to remove food debris, plaque, and bacteria that brushing may have missed. It is the only method that can effectively clean between your teeth and along the gumline, where decay and gum disease are most likely to start.
At Dentistry on Sheppard, we stress the importance of flossing because without it, plaque and bacteria can build up in these hard-to-reach places, leading to cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
2. Preventing Cavities and Tooth Decay
One of the primary reasons flossing is as important as brushing is that it helps prevent cavities and tooth decay. Plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth, is the primary cause of cavities. When plaque accumulates between your teeth and isn’t removed, it can eventually lead to tooth decay.
Flossing helps to disrupt and remove plaque from between your teeth, preventing it from turning into tartar (hardened plaque). Tartar can only be removed through professional teeth cleaning at the dentist, so regular flossing helps reduce the need for more intensive dental work down the road.
By flossing every day, you significantly reduce your risk of developing cavities in places that brushing alone can’t reach.
3. Protecting Your Gums: Preventing Gum Disease
Flossing also plays a key role in maintaining healthy gums. Plaque buildup along the gumline can lead to gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis causes symptoms like red, swollen, and bleeding gums, particularly when brushing or flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to more serious forms of gum disease, such as periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss.
Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from below the gumline, helping to prevent gum disease. By adding flossing to your daily routine, you’re taking a proactive step toward ensuring your gums remain healthy and free from infection.
At Dentistry on Sheppard, our team emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy gums to prevent long-term damage. Regular flossing, combined with proper brushing, can significantly reduce the risk of developing gum disease.
4. Preventing Bad Breath
Bad breath, or halitosis, can be an embarrassing and frustrating issue. One of the most common causes of bad breath is the buildup of food particles and bacteria in the spaces between your teeth. When food is trapped in these areas and isn’t cleaned out, it can begin to decompose, leading to unpleasant odors.
Flossing helps to remove these trapped particles, preventing bad breath and leaving your mouth feeling fresh. If you’ve been struggling with chronic bad breath, adding flossing to your routine may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
5. Improving Overall Health
Believe it or not, your oral health can have a direct impact on your overall health. Research has shown that poor oral hygiene, including neglecting to floss, can contribute to a range of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems. The bacteria from your mouth can enter your bloodstream and affect other parts of your body, leading to systemic health issues.
By flossing regularly, you reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in your mouth and lower the risk of these health problems. Taking care of your teeth and gums is not just about maintaining a beautiful smile — it’s about taking care of your entire body.
6. Flossing Helps with Teeth Cleaning in Tight Spaces
For individuals with tight spaces between their teeth, flossing is particularly important. Even if you brush diligently, it can be difficult to reach every part of your teeth when they are spaced closely together. Flossing can slide into these tight spaces, effectively cleaning them and removing plaque and food particles that would otherwise remain trapped.
At Dentistry on Sheppard, we understand that everyone’s teeth are unique, and we can offer personalized advice on the best flossing techniques and products for different teeth shapes and spaces. Our goal is to ensure that you’re getting the most effective oral care possible.
7. Flossing Techniques: How to Do It Right
Flossing may seem simple, but doing it properly is crucial to ensure you’re getting the maximum benefit. Here are some tips on how to floss correctly:
Use about 18 inches of floss: This allows you to use a clean section of floss between each tooth.
Gently curve the floss around each tooth: Avoid snapping the floss down between your teeth, as this can damage your gums. Instead, gently slide the floss between your teeth, forming a “C” shape around each tooth.
Don’t forget the back of your last teeth: Plaque can accumulate at the very back of your mouth, so make sure to floss behind your back teeth as well.
Be consistent: Flossing daily is essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Make it a part of your evening routine, just like brushing your teeth.
At Dentistry on Sheppard, we are happy to demonstrate proper flossing techniques during your next visit and answer any questions you might have.
8. Combining Flossing with Regular Teeth Cleaning
While brushing and flossing at home are essential, professional teeth cleaning is also an important part of your oral hygiene routine. Regular teeth cleaning at Dentistry on Sheppard allows our hygienists to remove tartar buildup that you can’t eliminate on your own. It also gives your dentist an opportunity to detect any early signs of oral health issues, such as cavities or gum disease.
Even with regular flossing and brushing, professional cleanings are important to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy in the long term. We recommend scheduling a teeth cleaning at least once every six months, or more frequently if needed.
Conclusion
Flossing is a crucial step in maintaining good oral health, and it is just as important as brushing your teeth. By removing plaque and food particles from between your teeth and along your gumline, flossing helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. It’s a simple but effective habit that, when combined with regular brushing and professional teeth cleaning, can keep your smile healthy for a lifetime.
At Dentistry on Sheppard, we are committed to helping you maintain excellent oral hygiene. If you have any questions about flossing, brushing, or your overall dental care routine, feel free to contact us or schedule an appointment. Let us help you keep your smile bright and healthy!
