In as much as oral health is concerned the first thing that most people think of is brushing teeth. However, there’s another crucial step that many people overlook: Flossing. This might make you underrate the efficiency of this basic yet impactful tool in your oral hygiene practice. This regular habit helps significantly in warding off gum disease, which affects millions of people globally at some point in their lives. Carrying out a flossing routine is a great step towards watching your gums stay healthy and very strong. Now let’s go a little in-depth as to why flossing is so crucial and how it aids in the avoidance of gum illness.

Understanding Gum Disease

Periodontal disease or gum disease starts with gingivitis and can lead to other diseases that affect the structures around your teeth. This disease begins with plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that enter your mouth and settle on the surface of your teeth. When plaque is not cleaned through regular brushing and flossing, it forms a deposit called tartar that can cause gum disease, infection, bleeding and even tooth loss.

The Role of Flossing

 As a general dentist in Johnstown, PA explained recently, flossing is one of the most basic yet very effective methods of cleaning between the teeth and below the gumline where a toothbrush cannot easily reach. Here’s how daily flossing helps prevent gum disease:

• Removes Plaque and Food Particles: Flossing aids in the removal of food particles and plaque on areas that are hard to reach like between the twines of teeth and slightly beneath the gum line. This is because plaque is usually a home to bacteria and hence brushing keeps it away to reduce the chances of building up gum diseases.
• Reduces Inflammation: Gingivitis characterized by swelling and bleeding of the gums is caused by plaque buildup in between teeth; flossing removes this composition, hence minimizing related problems. It also prevents the destruction of the healthy gum tissue and counters the development of further forms of periodontal diseases.

How to Floss Properly

To get the most out of flossing, the technique must be correct. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you’re flossing effectively: Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you’re flossing effectively:

• Choose the Right Floss: Several types of dental floss are available such as waxed, unwaxed, flavored, and dental tape. Choose the one which you think is the best for you or which suits you more. Those who experience problems in using regular floss due to the small gap between their teeth can use waxed floss or dental tape.
• Curve the Floss: Use the middle of the floss and run it between two teeth and move it up and down When the floss is between the teeth, shape it in a ‘C’ around one tooth. Place the tip of the brush under the gum and move it horizontally to the side of the tooth then vertically up and down along the tooth’s surface.
• Insert the Floss Gently: Slide the floss between the teeth in a horizontal motion, as if you were moving the floss in a rubber-band like motion. However, you should not thread the floss through your gums since it may lead to piercings.
• Repeat for Each Tooth: Each time you floss you should use a new section of floss and you should floss side by side each tooth. You should also not forget that there is space behind the last molars where the plaque may build up.
• Don’t Forget the Back Teeth: That is why extra attention should be paid to the back teeth as it is often tough to clean them adequately using floss only. Clean gently and be thorough to make sure that there are no obscured areas you failed to clean.

Tips for Maintaining a Flossing Routine

• Set a Regular Time: One of the most effective ways is to decide on a certain part of the day during which you will floss, as this can help to ensure that you stick to the habit much more effectively. Flossing is most effective when it is done in the same manner as brushing, that is as part of a daily regimen, and so it only makes sense to floss either in the morning after brushing your teeth before eating breakfast or in the evening after brushing your teeth before retiring to bed. This is done in order to ensure that flossing becomes as normal or as habitual as brushing the teeth.

Super Tip:Set a reminder on the phone every morning, or find an application that will help build up the routine. When flossing is done at the same time in the day, it becomes easier not to forget in the course of developing a routine on how the flossing is done.

• Use Flossing Aids: For individuals who have challenges when using the normal floss, there are diverse flossing tools like floss picks or the interdental brushes which are also very effective. Floss picks have a handle which enables you to twist the floss between your teeth while interdental brushes can easily clean the spaces within the teeth, as well as around the dental implants. These tools can make flossing simpler and easier to perform, especially for those who have restricted hand movement or small gaps between their teeth.
• Keep Floss Accessible: To make proper flossing a regular affair, it is advisable to keep the dental floss within reach and visible. Store it near your toothbrush, between bathroom cabinets, or in a suitcase or carry-on for convenient use at all times. Placing the floss at an easily accessible point reduces the likelihood that you will leave it out of convenience.
• Involve Your Family: Incorporating flossing into the family means that everyone in the family will be able to learn and ensure that they stick to the best habits for the well-being of their oral cavities. Assist the family to make flossing a normal activity for the family, including the children. If you can floss together, it will make it more fun as it will not be seen as a task which has to be done but rather it will be a fun thing which you and your teeth have to do.

Final Words

Flossing and cleaning between your teeth every day is one of the most effective and smallest tasks that may change your dental situation. Through the use of floss, you not only maintain the cleanliness of your teeth and gums but you are also being very instrumental in preventing gum disease. As the saying goes ‘the health of the mouth equals the health of the body,’ and in about five minutes per day, you are investing in a lifetime of healthy gums, therefore, a healthy smile! Thus, get that floss, start flossing, and achieve healthier gums now!

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