Flossing Before Bed Is Important

Why Flossing is Important

If you want your teeth to last, you must make brushing and flossing a daily habit, along with regular professional cleanings at the dentist.

There’s a saying in dentistry, “only floss the ones you want to keep.”

Take a second to think about that that.  Would you want to lose any of your teeth?

Flossing is a crucial step in the care of your teeth, because brushing twice a day is not enough.

Flossing is a must.  Why?  Because brushing does not clean the whole tooth.  Brushing alone only cleans 60% of a tooth, but flossing can reach the surfaces your toothbrush can’t reach.

Flossing Helps Fight Cavities

When food particles are left between your teeth, bacteria can use that decaying food to form cavities in those areas.

Cavities between teeth are difficult to fix and can lead to crowns and root canals.  These procedures are time consuming and costly.

Food debris left between your teeth can also lead to bad breath.

You can also make your teeth look brighter by keeping stains from developing between your teeth.

Many people may use water flossers, such as the name brand Waterpik, to clean between their teeth.  These are good for removing bacteria around your gums and under bridges and dental work, but you still need to use traditional floss to protect against cavities between teeth.

What You Should Know

Follow these steps to make sure you’re getting the most out of flossing:

Hug the floss tight to the side of your tooth
Rub the floss gently up and down against the side of each tooth
Make sure the floss reaches the base of each tooth

You can view a demonstration from the American Dental Association.

Healthy teeth increase your quality of life.  Your daily routine should include brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing before bed.  If you don’t already do this, it’s time to start.  I know it can be difficult to change dental hygiene habits, but it’s far worse to lose teeth to decay and disease.

Visit the Dentist Twice a Year

In additional to taking care of your teeth and gums at home, it’s important to visit the dentist twice a year.  You can get directions to our office and schedule a checkup on our website.  We accept all major insurance and work with your schedule for morning, evening, weekend and emergency appointments.  Call us anytime at 864-520-2942.