If you have heard from your dentist that you should be flossing at least once per day, then you have heard from a professional and you should take that opinion under serious consideration. There are some big reasons that dentists tell their patients that they should floss at least once per day. Flossing is one of the most important dental hygiene procedures that you can perform. In fact, flossing is so important that it can prevent a variety of gum and tooth diseases that may show themselves down the road.
Why Dentists Want You to Floss Daily
Oral Hygiene
One of the reasons that your dentist wants you to floss is simple good hygiene and fresh breath. When you eat food, sometimes it falls into crevices in your teeth that your toothbrush simply cannot reach. You may not even notice these tiny bits of food in your mouth, but since the temperature inside your mouth is so high, they soon start to rot and that causes bad breath and bacteria to form. This can mean major dental issues down the road, but it can also have the immediate effect of giving you bad breath; you may not be able to remove these bits of food with brushing, but flossing can do a much better job of getting into the hard-to-reach places in your mouth and making sure that you swallow all of the foods that you eat instead of leaving it in your teeth.
Don’t Avoid Flossing
Many people avoid flossing, and there are usually a variety of reasons behind it. Some people avoid flossing because it simply takes too long, while others have sensitive gums they can start to bleed if they floss. Neither of these is a good reason to not floss. Flossing is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth.
Regency Family Dentistry Omaha
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is important to your overall well-being. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop.
In between regular visits to the dentist at Regency Dental in Omaha, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include:
- Brush thoroughly twice a day and floss daily
- Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals
- Use dental products which contain fluoride, including toothpaste
- Rinse with a fluoride mouth rinse if advised to do so
- Make sure children under 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-fluoridated area
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months
The following are indications of good oral hygiene:
- Your teeth are clean and free of debris
- Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
- Bad breath is not a constant problem
Contact the Omaha Dentists at Regency Dental with any questions.
