Along with brushing and rinsing with mouthwash, you should also remember the importance of flossing.
Proper dental care begins at home. Between your visits to the dentist, you should be taking the necessary measures to keep your mouth healthy. Along with brushing and rinsing with mouthwash, you should also remember the importance of flossing. To maximize its positive effects, you need to floss as often as possible. Check out this guide on the vital importance of proper flossing.
Daily Flossing
The purpose of regular flossing is to remove the food particles that have accumulated between your teeth after eating each meal. Brushing often doesn’t always, and can’t, remove these particles and various other bacteria-rich biofilms from between your teeth. The narrow floss is typically able to get through normally-spaced teeth but may not be enough for people that have abnormally crowded or crooked teeth.
Correct Method
To adequately floss your teeth, you should start by winding about eighteen inches of floss around your middle fingers on each hand. Next, you’ll need to pinch the strand between your index and thumbs with about two inches left between the fingers. From this position, you’ll be able to use your thumbs to direct the floss between your upper teeth. For your lower teeth, you’ll use your index fingers to move the floss. Guide the floss between your teeth both up-and-down and side-to-side. Use gentle movements to clean the small gaps between your teeth thoroughly. After you finish, discard the floss; never attempt to wash and then reuse strands of floss that you’ve already used.
Water Floss or Dental Floss?
Oral irrigators, more commonly known as water floss, are those tools that dentists and dental hygienists use during your office visits. They shoot water between your teeth and gums without any obstruction. Although they are effective at reducing the risk of gingivitis and washing food particles off the teeth’s enamel, they should be used in conjunction with your dental floss rather than as a replacement. The force of the stream of water alone isn’t powerful enough to remove microscopic bacteria, which dental floss can remove.
KEEP YOUR TEETH HEALTHY WITH ANNAPOLIS DENTAL CARE
Whether it’s regular check-up you need or a tooth extracted, Annapolis Dental Care has the expertise and compassion to work with you on improving your oral health. Your comfort and health are our top priorities, and so we go above and beyond to make our patients happy and to provide the highest quality care. To set up an appointment today, please give us a call at 410-571-5014 or visit us online. For more oral health tips for you and your family follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube!