Everyone wants to have a great smile, that’s why a good oral hygiene is important. It also helps you maintain your dental health and prevent periodontal or gum disease from developing.
When it comes to oral hygiene, there are rules that you should always keep in mind. First, you should brush your teeth thoroughly, at least twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening before going to bed. Second, visit your dentist regularly. Third, be sure to floss at least once a day -- do it after every meal when you can. This is perhaps the step that is skipped most often, even though it is one of the most important. Flossing helps clean between your teeth.
Here are a few reasons why flossing should never be skipped!
Flossing helps strengthen the efficiency of brushing. Tooth brushing brush away dirt from the surface of teeth. But brushing can’t get rid of the dirt that is stuck in-between the teeth. Flossing can reach those nooks and crannies. If followed by brushing, the mouth will be cleaner than ever.
It helps prevent gum disease. Dental plaque is made up of harmful microorganisms which include bacteria, viruses and protozoa. If there is plaque left between teeth and near gums, it can accumulate and cause inflammation. This is the first phase of gum disease, which is called gingivitis. Over time, tartar and plaque can develop.
It helps prevent tartar build-up. If dental plaque accumulates around the teeth without being removed, it can turn into tartar. By including dental flossing as part of your regular dental cleaning, it can delay its formation. Please note too that only regular cleanings and scaling in a dental office can remove the tartar around teeth.
It helps prevent halitosis. If dental plaque that is found between teeth is not cleaned, it will eventually release a bad smell from your mouth. Tooth decay and gum disease, also caused by dental plaque, are a source of a bad smell in the mouth as well.
5 Steps to a Flawless Floss
(www.mouthhealthy.org)
We know we should floss at least once a day, but not everyone knows the right way to do it. Use this step-by-step guide to find out how to properly floss your teeth:
Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.
Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth.
Once you’re finished, throw the floss away. A used piece of floss won’t be as effective and could leave bacteria behind in your mouth.
What’s great about flossing is, it can reduce the time spent in a dental office. The more time spent flossing, the less time is spent in a dentist’s chair. Flossing reduces the amount of plaque in the mouth and there is less of a chance that cavities will develop. So, when it comes to oral health, flossing shouldn’t be skipped. Not only will it keep those teeth looking dazzling, but it will prevent many dental problems.