For many people, flossing is a habit that plays second fiddle to brushing; however, both brushing your teeth and flossing regularly are instrumental in preventing serious oral health issues and preserving a bright and white smile. In fact, flossing actually plays a vital role in thwarting issues that can even put your whole body and life at risk! Here’s a little more information from your dentist about how flossing should be a necessary part of any oral hygiene routine, along with some tips for ensuring that you’re going about it correctly.
How Flossing Regularly Can Save Your Life
In order to understand how a habit such as flossing can heavily influence a person’s well-being, it’s important to understand the link between oral and overall health. Simply put, one of the biggest threats to your dental health (and by proxy your overall health) is gum disease. When left untreated, gum disease can ravage the soft gum tissues inside of your mouth and cause all sorts of problems for your pearly whites, but the issues don’t stop there.
Unresolved gum disease actually has the potential to spread beyond your mouth by accessing your bloodstream. When this happens, you’re at an incredibly heightened risk for all sorts of health issues, some of which have potentially fatal implications, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and even cancer. Simply put, your gums provide access to the bodily highway that is your bloodstream, meaning that an untreated infection won’t have much trouble traveling to other parts of you.
Luckily, flossing is one of the most effective ways of preventing this from occurring. The habit allows you to remove leftover debris and bacteria that your toothbrush can’t get on its own. By removing these particles routinely, you aren’t giving them the opportunity to form the plaque and tartar that causes a gum infection that could later spread to the rest of your body.
Tips for Flossing Correctly and Consistently
Of course, it’s not just about flossing consistently; flossing correctly is just as important! With that in mind, here are some tips to help you do things the right way:
- Choose the right floss – There are several types of floss that come in a variety of materials and flavors, so choose one that suits you. You might also consider dental floss sticks or a water flosser.
- Use the right method – Start with a strand of floss about 18 inches in length; hold it tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, and then gently glide it between your teeth using a rubbing motion. Do not saw back and forth or snap the floss in the gums, as you might hurt yourself. Once you reach the base of each tooth, curve the floss and carefully flip it under the gumline to clean the plaque out from underneath before slowly pulling it up and repeating the process.
- Don’t rush through it – Slowly work your way across your smile, clearing out each space between your teeth. Once you’ve completely cleaned between two teeth, unwind the floss from one finger while winding the excess to another, so that you can work with a clean section of floss for each pair of teeth.
The next time you head to the bathroom to brush your teeth, don’t forget to follow-up with flossing; the habit won’t just clear out those awkward, leftover bits of food between your teeth—it might also end up saving your life!
About the Author
Dr. Rodger Song received his DDS from the Baylor College of Dentistry and is currently a member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association, as well as Fellowship status with the Academy of General Dentistry. His practice in Flower Mound is thrilled to offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options. If you have any questions about the article or need to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, you can contact Dr. Song through his practice’s website or by phone: (972) 906-9797.