How Often Should I Floss?

Last week, we looked at how to brush your teeth the right way, and how this helps protect your oral health and smile beauty. In today’s blog, we would like to focus on a more important step for ensuring proper oral hygiene from home. Your Newhall, CA, dentist will explain how to properly floss your teeth, and how this could help fight gum disease.

When to Floss Your Teeth

We suggest people of all ages floss their teeth every evening before bed. These actions should start as soon as children have teeth sitting side-by-side in their mouths. While brushing is effective and necessary to keep smiles bright and healthy, the bristles on a toothbrush cannot reach between the teeth, or dislodge particles trapped along the gum line. You may also consider excusing yourself after meals, especially if you’re eating items prone to becoming trapped between teeth, and flossing with tape or a pick quickly.

Doing So Correctly

For toddlers and young children, you can assist them with a pick or help them do this themselves. As they grow and their dexterity improves, they can upgrade to tape just like you use. If you want to use water flosser, you can do that as well. We just want to make sure everyone is cleaning between their teeth as they should!

Take an 18inch to 20inch length of tape, and wrap each end around one of your thumbs. Hold it taut with your index fingers, and then run the tape up and down the length of each side of every tooth. Dip below the gum line in a “c” motion when you do. Then adjust your grip to ensure you clean each tooth with a clean bit of tape. The process takes a few minutes, but has been shown to significantly decreases the risk of everything from bad breath and cavities to gingivitis and even gum disease!

Schedule a Cleaning Too

Be sure to see us every six months too for a cleaning. A dental cleaning means we can remove the plaque and tartar from the surfaces and between your teeth, something brushing and flossing alone cannot do. These visits are essential to good oral health for kids, teens, and adults too. If you have any questions about keeping your smile healthy and strong from home, or if you would like to set up your next visit, then contact our team today.

Ready to Obtain a Healthier Smile?

We know that cleaning between your teeth could help lower the risk of issues like cavities and even periodontal disease. Newhall Dental Arts wants to make sure you’re flossing the right way. Contact our Newhall, CA office at (661) 259-7760 to learn more about safeguard oral health outside of our office!