Family Dentist in Far North Dallas Explains Tips on Flossing

One of the hardest habits for people to start is flossing, according to a family dentist in far North Dallas. A majority of the patients may brush, but flossing is still a rare habit the dentist notices people aren’t committing to. This is a shame considering that people who don’t floss are missing about 40 percent of their tooth surfaces, therefore only allowing bacteria to thrive and plaque to develop.

To learn more benefits of flossing and how to finally start the habit, keep reading!

The Benefits of Flossing

The first and most important reason to floss is to prevent the buildup of tartar. Tartar is a calcified form of plaque that is not removable through at-home means. In this case, you must visit a dentist to have it removed. Flossing can prevent the buildup of tartar tremendously

Flossing also works to prevent gum disease because it builds up on your soft gum tissue just as much as your enamel. Without flossing, you’ll only increase your risk of inflammation and tender gums. Go long enough without removing plaque from gum tissue and they start to feel tender and appear red.

Finally, we all know that having plaque inside our mouth increases the occurrence of bad breath. That bad breath doesn’t only appear because you drank coffee or ate garlic. It’s also because plaque left unremoved is sitting on the many surfaces of your teeth; this can plaque can add up quickly.

Tips to Help You Get Started

Flossing just once a day can make a huge difference in your oral health. To help you get into the habit of flossing, make sure to do it at the same time in the same place, such as your bathroom at home. Make a commitment to yourself to floss before you head to bed, just like you would with brushing. If you’ve determined you’re not going to eat anything else after dinner, floss and brush ahead of time so you aren’t putting it off once bedtime rolls around.

Furthermore, try to floss before bed instead of in the morning. Your mouth is far more vulnerable while you sleep than throughout the day when you’re more likely to rinse your mouth out with water or floss and brush after meals.

How to Floss Effectively

To floss effectively, first make sure the floss you’re using fits in between your teeth comfortably. If you’re forcing floss between teeth, purchase a thinner floss, such as the monofilament variety. This is far less likely to tear even compared to waxed floss! Once you’ve found the right product, do the following:

• Pull out 18 to 24 inches at a time.
• Begin flossing one arch and working your way all the way around, then move to the next one.
• Gently slide it against your teeth, making sure not to snap the floss in the process. This can cause enamel erosion.
• Unravel floss from your finger as you go through each tooth to prevent transferring food to other areas. Alternatively, you can rinse food debris and plaque off the floss.
• If flossing traditionally is too difficult, purchase floss picks or a water flosser to make it more convenient.

Ready to fully commit to your new oral care routine? Schedule an appointment with a children’s dentist in far North Dallas for more advice!

About Bear Creek Family Dentistry

Many of our specialists at Bear Creek Family Dentistry are board-certified, meaning they’ve gone the extra mile and completed a voluntary examination process. Doing this demonstrates their pursuit of continued proficiency and excellence in their field. To learn more about their expertise, contact us through our website.