You may already know you “should” floss your teeth. After all, every qualified dentist recommends the habit. Still, perhaps you don’t see the harm in skipping it. In that case, though, you’re making a blunder. The truth is that daily flossing can save your life! Indeed, it can prevent various deadly conditions. To get the details, listen to your Selbyville dentist. Here is why flossing is a life-saving practice, how to do it properly, and other oral health tips.
Flossing & General Health
Contrary to the stereotype, flossing is more than removing food between teeth. Its main role is to clean hard-to-reach parts of your enamel and gums.
You see, flossing cleans out the plaque in your mouth. It’s thus a practice that keeps your gums healthy and prevents bleeding, soreness, and similar symptoms. Without it, gum tissue is at risk of suffering inflammation.
Left unchecked, inflamed gums will easily lead to an oral infection. If that happens, your odds of getting cardiovascular disease, dementia, kidney disease, arthritis, and even cancer will rise. Such conditions would threaten your life and might cause an early death.
How to Floss Properly
Even if you decide to floss, you may need to discover the right approach. The habit requires the right technique. Luckily, the steps of proper flossing are easy to learn. They are:
- Break off some floss and wind it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the rest on the same finger of the opposite hand.
- Keeping it taut, guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Be careful not to snap it into the gums.
- Curve the floss into a C shape and slide it between the gum and tooth.
- Make sure to rub the floss against the sides of your tooth. While doing so, move it away from the gum with up and down motions.
- Repeat steps one through four on the other teeth.
Other Helpful Oral Health Tips
In truth, flossing better protects your life when done alongside other oral health practices. With that said, remember the following tips:
- Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily – Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Furthermore, make sure to use fluoridated toothpaste.
- Replace Your Brush Regularly – To keep your toothbrush clean, replace it every 3-4 months.
- Eat a Well-Balanced Diet – Eat meals rich in fruits and veggies while limiting your sugary foods and drinks intake.
- See Your Dentist Often – See your dentist twice yearly for cleanings and checkups.
Done rightly, daily flossing can save your life. So, remember the instructions on how to do it and other helpful oral habits!
About the Author
Dr. Homer Sedighi is a pediatric dentist based in Chesterfield, MO, having earned his DMD from the Washington University School of Dental Medicine. He’s also a member in good standing of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. As such, his specialties are preventive, restorative, and emergency dentistry for kids’ smiles. Dr. Sedighi currently practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website or by phone at (636)-777-7777.