What’s the one thing that your dentist or hygienist tells you you need to do more? The answer of course is almost always to floss. We usually brush twice a day, but we often forget to floss.
Flossing is not only important for our teeth, but also for our gum health. It cleans plaque from areas that aren’t typically reached by brushing our teeth twice a day. According to the American Dental Association, plaque can contain up to 500 different species of bacteria. Not all these different types of bacteria are bad, in fact some are good, but the bad ones can contribute to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Continuing to let plaque build up in the hard to reach places greatly increases the chances of gingivitis or cavities. These risks can easily be lowered by cleaning in between your teeth at least once a day using floss or an interdental cleaner. Some of the interdental cleaning alternatives to floss are water pics, wood plaque pics, or tiny brushes for between your teeth.
Save yourself some cavities and a lecture at your next appointment and start flossing today!
