Achieving optimal oral health doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a continuous journey that requires time, patience, and, most importantly – effort. With that said, there are many reasons why many orthodontists in Riverside suggest that why you should floss at least twice a day.

While many people already do brush as a habit, not a lot of individuals are religious when it comes to flossing. And this is primarily because they don’t know why flossing is important.w

What is Flossing?

Flossing is the act of using a piece of string-like material to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums. If not removed, it can harden and turn into tartar, which can cause gum disease.

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It begins with bacterial growth in your plaque. If not treated, it can progress and eventually lead to tooth loss.

According to the American Dental Association, flossing is just as important as brushing in preventing gum disease and maintaining oral health. The optimal way to clean your teeth is by brushing and flossing twice a day – in the morning and also at bedtime.

Reasons Why You Should Floss Twice Every Day

#1 – Flossing twice a day helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

When you eat, plaque begins to form on your teeth. If not removed, it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Flossing helps remove plaque from your teeth and gums, thus preventing these dental problems.

This is why you should floss regularly at least twice each day because plaque can form quickly. Once plaque hardens, it becomes tartar, which is more difficult to remove.

#2 – It helps prevent you from having bad breath.

Bad breath, or halitosis, is often caused by plaque and tartar buildup. When you don’t floss, the food particles and bacteria become trapped in your mouth, causing an unpleasant smell. Flossing helps remove plaque and bacteria, thus preventing bad breath.

#3 – It helps remove stains from your teeth.

When you don’t floss, the plaque and tartar can cause stains on your teeth. The stains are difficult to remove and can make your teeth look yellow and dull. This is why you should floss regularly if you want to avoid developing stains. It also helps scrub away the surface stains that brushing may not be able to remove.

#4 – It’s good for your overall health.

Your mouth is full of bacteria. When you don’t brush and floss properly, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream and cause infections. The bacteria can also contribute to other health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

This is why you should floss regularly. Flossing helps remove the bacteria from your mouth, thus reducing your risk of developing these health problems.

Best Flossing Tips You Need to Know

• Use enough floss length, about 18 inches (45 cm) of floss wrapped around your middle fingers.
• Do not floss with too much pressure.
• Be gentle with the gum line.
• Use a clean section of floss for every tooth.
• Make a back-and-forth motion instead of sawing.
• Curve the floss around your tooth in a C shape.
• Floss completely – from top to bottom, around the tooth, and from the front to the back.
• Floss after brushing so that you can remove the plaque that your toothbrush missed.
• Don’t quit flossing when the gums bleed. It only shows why you should floss more, not less.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Floss Properly

• 1. Start by wrapping most of the floss around your middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.
• 2. Use your thumb and index finger to hold the floss in place.
• 3. Gently insert the floss between your teeth using a back-and-forth motion.
• 4.  Be careful not to jab the floss into your gums.
• 5. When the floss reaches your gumline, curve it into a C shape.
• 6. Gently slide the floss up and down against your tooth.
• 7. Do this several times before moving to a new tooth.
• 8.  Use a clean section of floss for every tooth.
• 9. When you’re finished, throw the used floss in the trash.
• 10. Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.

Get the Best Dental Health Care for Maximum Oral Hygiene

Even if you brush and floss regularly, it’s still best to visit the dentist for professional cleaning and checkups. When you do that, you can be sure that your teeth and gums are healthy.

Riverside Orthodontics offers dental hygiene guides, dental care services, and orthodontic treatment in Riverside, CT. We have a team of experts who can help you achieve optimum oral health.

It is important not only to see your regular dentist but also to consult an orthodontist to ensure that your teeth are aligned properly. Having straight teeth not only makes you look good but also feel confident. When your teeth are properly aligned, you can also make brushing and flossing a lot easier and more effective.

Get the best dental care services in Riverside, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, and the surrounding areas of Fairfield County, CT from Dr. Scott Kesselman today! He is an award-winning dentist and orthodontist who has been providing quality dental care for many years.

At our dental and orthodontic practice, we utilize the latest technology in the industry, including Invisalign, clear cosmetic braces, low radiation digital X-rays, and iTero digital scanning. Contact us to book an appointment! You can also visit our website to learn more about our services.