Gum disease is a growing problem in our country — some estimates say that nearly half of adults over the age of 30 have periodontitis, a type of gum disease. Once it takes hold, gum disease puts you on a fast track toward serious oral and overall health issues, including tooth loss and even heart attack and stroke.
Fortunately, there’s a way to prevent and slow the progression of gum problems, and it's in the oral hygiene aisle at your local store.
Flossing goes where brushes can’t, and our expert dentists at Lifetime Dental Care in Woodbridge, Virginia, are here to make sure you’re using the best technique.
If brushing your teeth is already a chore and you don’t want to add even more time to your oral hygiene routine, we understand. But we also hope you’ll hear us out and consider the benefits of flossing and the potential for bad things to develop if you don’t.
Flossing does more than unlodge that stubborn piece of food stuck between your teeth. It prevents harmful bacteria from accumulating and forming plaque, which eventually hardens and becomes tartar. Tartar develops along your gum line and triggers inflammation and gum disease.
If you floss often and floss well, you can also:
Doing the extra work at home also makes your regular checkups much faster and smoother, a plus if you’re self-conscious about your oral health or aren’t a fan of cleaning your teeth.
You’ve been told your whole life that flossing is important, and you might think you know how, but many people aren’t doing it correctly. The American Dental Association outlines steps for effective flossing.
First, break off around 18 inches of floss and wrap most of it around one of your middle fingers and the remaining around the middle finger on your other hand. Second, hold the floss firmly between your forefingers and thumb and gently slide it between your teeth.
Third, curve the floss into a “C” shape so it “hugs” the side of your tooth. Fourth, gently rub the floss up and down, pressing it firmly against the side of your tooth.
Repeat this for the neighboring tooth and all the other teeth in your mouth, using a different part of the floss as you go or rinsing it off before starting on the next tooth.
Avoid common pitfalls like jamming the floss into your gums or forgetting the backside of your molars. Always brush your teeth after flossing to brush away the debris and bacteria your flossing kicked out.
Want an even deeper clean? Talk to us about our favorite mouthwashes and other ways to round out your routine.
Ultimately, the best way to care for your teeth is to combine your efforts at home with our professional in-office cleanings. If you’re overdue for a cleaning or looking to change your care, we’d love to talk with you. Call our office at 703-499-9779, or use our online booking tool to speak with one of our experts today.