At Simply Smile Family Dentistry, we teach all of our patients about the importance of regular brushing and flossing. In fact, if you brush your teeth without flossing, you’re still leaving around 40 percent of the surface of your teeth uncleaned! Floss helps remove those pesky food particles that get trapped between teeth before bacteria in your mouth can feed on them. Whether you’re a regular flosser or someone just developing the habit, the information below will help you ensure you’re flossing properly.
How Often Should You Floss?
The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth twice daily and floss each day. While we know of some patients who floss after each meal just to ensure there’s no food stuck in their teeth, flossing just once each day will work wonders for your oral hygiene.
Is It Better to Floss in the Morning or At Night?
The time of day when you choose to floss is really up to personal preference. Some patients choose to floss after lunch, while others floss at night. As long as you’re flossing regularly, your pearly whites will thank you!
What Should I Use to Floss?
These days, there are tons of different floss products on the market. There’s simple thread floss, floss made from eco-friendly silk, or floss flavored to taste like bacon. Floss picks are popular, and tools like the WaterPik are a great way to make flossing easier. We recommend that you use whichever flossing implement that works for you and your budget — as long as you use it once per day!
Regular flossing can protect teeth from cavities and decay by removing food particles before bacteria and acid have a chance to attack. Flossing also reduces your risk for developing gum disease by removing potential irritants. To ask our team any questions about flossing or to schedule your next appointment, call our office today!
