The Benefits of Flossing Your Teeth

Regularly cleaning your teeth is an excellent way to maintain good oral health as bacteria accumulations can cause cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Floss can complement your brushing routine and reach places the toothbrush cannot. 

In this article, our experienced team at Ygnacio DentaL in Walnut Creek, CA, has put together a list of the main advantages of flossing.

Why Floss?

Food often gets stuck between our teeth after we eat and toothbrushes are not able to reach every nook and cranny in our mouth to clean them out. Flossing is an efficient way to clean the spaces between your teeth and prevent plaque and tartar buildup.

How Should You Floss Your Teeth?

• Cut a piece of dental floss of about 18 to 24 inches long in half. 
• Wrap the majority of the floss around both of your middle fingers to hold it correctly. Only 1 to 2 inches of floss should be left for cleaning between your teeth.
• Hold the floss between your thumbs and index finger.
• Insert a piece of dental floss between two teeth.
• Gently glide the floss up and down the tooth, rubbing it on both surfaces. 
• When you reach the gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C. This allows the floss to get between your gums and teeth.
• Repeat the technique from tooth to tooth and floss each tooth with a new piece of floss.

Benefits of Flossing Your Teeth

• Gum Disease Prevention

Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day help keep gum disease at bay. Professional cleanings performed every six months also aid in maintaining healthy gums.

• Assists in Plaque Removal

Flossing regularly removes plaque from between the teeth and prevents oral health disorders from gum disease to tooth decay.

• Prevents Halitosis

Bad breath is a common problem. Flossing is one of the ways you can prevent it.

• Reduces the Likelihood of Cavities

Flossing between your teeth at least once a day will remove hidden food particles and prevent plaque accumulation thus lowering your risk of tooth decay.

• It’s a Good Preventive Care Technique

Flossing, when done correctly, helps remove food waste and bacteria from the areas of your mouth that toothbrushes cannot reach. Thus, it prevents bacteria accumulations and helps prevent the dental issues they can cause.

Call Ygnacio Dental at (925) 280-2848 or schedule an appointment online for the best dental care and experience in Walnut Creek, CA.