You probably know that itās important for you to avoid tooth decay and to have cavities filled as soon as possible. However, while you probably know that you should brush your teeth to avoid tooth decay, do you know why you should floss? Similarly, do you ever wonder how you can get the most benefit from your flossing?
When you brush your teeth, youāre removing plaque and bacteria. If you donāt remove bad bacteria from your teeth, you could be more vulnerable to tooth decay. However, you probably realize that your brush canāt reach certain areas of your mouth. To avoid this issue, youāll need to use floss. Floss can reach these areas, including between your teeth and beneath your gumline.
Still, to enjoy the benefits of flossing, there are a few things youāll need to do. For instance, itās extremely important for you to use a clean section of floss for every toothāmeaning youāll need about 18 inches of floss. You should floss at least once a day, though keeping floss on hand to use after you eat could also be beneficial. You should form a āCā shape when you floss, to remove as much plaque as possible. Finally, donāt expect your gums to bleed when you floss, though they could swell and bleed if you havenāt flossed in some time. However, this shouldnāt last for more than a week.
If youāre interested in learning more about flossing, or how to floss correctly, please feel free to contact Tammy Perison, DDS Family and Cosmetic Dental Care at 716-674-5256. Dr. Tammy Perison and our team will answer any questions you have. We look forward to receiving your call soon.