Flossing daily will do wonders for your oral health in the new year!
We all know you’re lying when you tell your hygienist that you floss “a couple times a week” or “every now and then.” The American Dental Association estimates that only half of the US population flosses daily, about 30% floss less than daily, and 20% don’t floss at all! When it comes to oral hygiene, flossing doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves in preventing plaque buildup, cavities, and gingivitis. So in 2016 do yourself a favor and start flossing at least once a day — we promise it’s worth the extra few minutes in the bathroom.
Benefits of Flossing
Immediate benefits of flossing are easy to spot. Whether it’s getting that bit of corn out from between your teeth — let’s be realistic, practically half the cob usually ends up stuck in there — or just nabbing that tough-to-reach bit of plaque, one good floss will make your mouth feel good right away. In the long run, flossing well and often will keep your mouth, gums, and teeth much healthier for much longer.
Flossing Doesn’t Have to be a Pain
A common complaint among patients is that flossing hurts or makes their gums bleed, and that’s why they avoid it. We hate to break it to you, but the reason it’s so uncomfortable is because you haven’t been doing it! When flossing is a regular part of your oral hygiene routine, your gums get used to the pressure of the floss and won’t be as sensitive as you continue the habit for a few weeks. We also often hear that it’s inconvenient, but we’ll fight you on that one too. Once you start to incorporate flossing into your routine, you won’t even notice the couple extra minutes you’re missing, and your improved oral health should be enough to thank you for spending the extra the time.
Flossing Alternatives
If you really really can’t stand the physical act of flossing, something that’s recently been popping up more and more frequently is the use of a WaterPik to accomplish the same goal. WaterPiks work almost as well as regular flossing, but they do have some limitations. WaterPiks are great for removing plaque and food particles that build up around teeth — particularly when the user has braces that make it difficult to floss traditionally — but they fall short in removing tougher plaque and plaque in areas between teeth where there’s almost no space for the water to reach. We recommend using a WaterPik as an addition to standard flossing rather than a replacement.
Do You Want to Learn More About Dental Health?
If you want to find out more about the benefits of flossing and the the WaterPik system or schedule your next visit, please contact Annapolis Family Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today! We can give you more information, or schedule your appointment. Our diligent knowledge of all dental treatments and extensive experience in all fields of dentistry, ensure Annapolis Dental is best suited to care for your oral health. You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.