First, our Upton, MA team encourages you to remember that absolutely any question you have in regard to your smile is a good question. “Sure,” you might think, “unless it’s something I should already know!” While you may assume we think you’ve known all there is to know about cleaning your smile for most of your life, the truth is, many adults learn the same things over and over or find out new facts every day about home care. It might seem simple but the nuances of protecting your smile mean you’re always a student of dental hygiene! With that said, we’d like to begin helping you better understand flossing!
Questions and Answers
Question: Why do I have to floss if I’m doing a really good job with my brushing? Won’t this be enough for my dental hygiene?
Answer: You have to floss even if you’re a wonderful brusher because these two aspects of your home care do not provide the same level of plaque removal from the same areas. Your brush is very good at removing most of the plaque from your dental surfaces. However, there’s a bit of tooth tissue beneath your gumline (and tissue between teeth) that brush bristles won’t reach. Floss will.
Question: If I floss my smile and I brush, too, does that mean I don’t really need dental cleanings?
Answer: Nope! You really do need to see us for cleanings. We know you may assume that brushing plus flossing equals an immaculate smile but this isn’t correct. It equals a very clean smile that may still have a bit of cleansing required. When you see us, we address any remaining plaque (in addition to tartar you don’t even know has formed).
Question: How do I know if I’m flossing correctly? Is this something you can help me assess during a dental checkup?
Answer: You’ll know when you see us for your cleanings and checkups. Of course, during your checkup, if you need any type of help with your ability to floss, we can help you, show you what to do, and answer questions!
Question: What if I don’t floss because it hurts? Is this a good enough reason to stop?
Answer: No! You always need to floss for your dental hygiene. Instead, this is a very good reason to schedule a checkup because you may need our care. Pain is an indicator that you need a bit of our help!
When You Need Hygiene Help, Just Say So
When you notice that you have questions or uncertainty about dental hygiene, letting us know and asking your questions is all you need to do. To learn more, call our family dental office in Upton, MA, today at 508-529-4591. We proudly welcome patients from all surrounding communities, including, Grafton, Hopedale, Whitinsville, and more.