Are you flossing often enough? When you do take time to clean between your teeth, are you doing enough to fully clear away harmful agents that may have built up in these spaces? Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize just how important flossing can be, and what it does for their preventive dental care efforts. As a result, they perform this task ineffectively or inconsistently, which leads to problems with their oral health. At our Upton, MA dentist’s office, we can help you understand the value of flossing, just as we can make sure you understand how to perform this task effectively. When combined with effective brushing and dieting, flossing will help you avoid problems that lead to cavities and gum disease!
1. Flossing Makes It Easier To Prevent Gingivitis
The daily effort you make to clean your smile can do more than just keep you safe from the formation of cavities. When you floss, you should take care to clean at the base of your gum line in order to protect yourself against gingivitis. This is important because problems with gum disease can have more significant consequences over time than you anticipate. If the infection is not treated before it worsens, it can become difficult to resolve. That infection can lead to damage to the tissues supporting your teeth, which can result in tooth loss!
2. You Should Floss At Least Once Per Day
How often is often enough when it comes to flossing? If you only floss when you feel something wedged between your teeth, you can allow tartar deposits to form and raise your risk for oral health issues. To effectively fight tartar formation, floss at least once per day. Simply “catching up” by flossing later can be ineffective, as brushing and flossing are not effective at removing tartar buildup that may have already occurred since your last session.
3. “Better Brushing” Is Not A Substitute For Flossing
You should not see daily oral hygiene as a substitute for regular dental exams, as these exams provide care that exceeds what you can do for yourself. You should also recognize that “better brushing” is not a substitute for flossing, as a toothbrush is not as useful when trying to remove harmful agents from between teeth. Make sure that both brushing and flossing occur each day to clean every part of your smile!
Your Upton, MA Dentist Can Help You Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Dr. Goguen is prepared to help patients in and around of Upton, MA keep their teeth healthy! In addition to beneficial preventive care, we do offer a range of treatment to address cosmetic and oral health concerns. To learn more, please contact Upton Dental at 508-529-4591 to schedule a visit.