Most of us know we should do it, however, many people don’t. Of course, we’re talking about flossing (No, not the dance craze!). Flossing is a beneficial practice that will help keep your smile beautiful and your mouth healthy. The American Dental Association recommends you floss your teeth once daily.

November 26 is National Flossing Day, so the team here at Dobry Dental wanted to devote this blog to this important part of your oral hygiene routine. If you have any questions about flossing, or if you need to schedule an appointment, just call us at 586-210-6828 and we’ll be glad to help.

Flossing Keeps Your Smile Healthy

Why is it that so many of us don’t place more emphasis on flossing our teeth? Perhaps it’s because it’s a somewhat tedious task, requiring us to get the floss between each of our teeth. However, that’s exactly why flossing is so important. Working the floss in between our teeth removes trapped food particles that can lead to bacteria growth and a greater chance of developing tooth decay.

Taking a few minutes every day to tend to our teeth with flossing will help prevent the likelihood of cavities and gum disease, both of which can require more extensive dental work. If you develop a cavity, it will most likely require a tooth filling, and the presence of gum disease means you’ll need a deep cleaning on your gums. Regular flossing every day can help prevent the need for these treatments.

Know How to Floss For Best Results

If we’re going to floss our teeth, we need to make sure we’re doing it the right way. So, what’s the proper way to floss your teeth, anyway? Here is how the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends to floss:

  • Start with about 18 inches of dental floss. Wrap the ends around both of your middle fingers to serve as an anchor. 
  • Hold the floss between your thumbs and index fingers and gently insert it between your teeth.
  • Curve the floss into a “C” shape around the side of the tooth.
  • Work the floss up and down against the side of your tooth in a smooth motion to remove food particles.
  • Be sure to floss each of your teeth and remember to get your back teeth as well.

If you’re using a flossing pick instead of floss, do it this way:

  • Gently insert the pick between two of your teeth and press it against your gums.
  • Slide the pick with an in and out motion against the sides of your teeth to remove trapped food.
  • Rinse the floss pick as needed to ensure it stays clean and does its job properly. 

Good Oral Hygiene Involves More Than Just Flossing

While flossing is crucial to maintaining your best smile, it’s not the only part of a good at-home oral care routine. It’s also important to brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time. Divide your teeth in quadrants and concentrate on one quadrant at a time for 30 seconds. You can even set a timer if it’s helpful.

Keeping up with regular dental cleanings and exams is also important. Come into Dobry Dental twice a year for a routine checkup. Doing so will help us catch any small problems and provide treatment before they worsen and have a chance to damage your smile. Plus, you’ll leave our office with that fresh-mouth feeling you can only get with a professional cleaning!

Call Dobry Dental today to schedule your next visit: 586-210-6828. You can also request an appointment online.