Question By: When you are flossing teeth, you are doing your future self a favor by maintaining your dental and oral wellness. Flossing removes trapped food particles and plaque from the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth and around the gumline.
Effective flossing contributes to oral health in these ways:
- It reduces the chance of cavities between teeth, since cavities can only form on teeth covered with dental plaque and you're scraping that plaque away when you floss.
- Along with brushing, it reduces the amount of time the plaque is left on your teeth, allowing them to be in a state of healing and remineralization for longer.
- It removes plaque that accumulates at or below the gum line, aiding in the prevention of gum disease.
Best Time To Floss
The ADA suggests that the best time to floss is the time that comfortably fits into your schedule.
While some people like to include flossing as part of their morning ritual and start the day with a clean mouth, others prefer flossing before bedtime so they go to bed with a clean mouth.
Reason To Floss Your Teeth
- Your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth to remove plaque (a sticky film that contains bacteria). Flossing gets between your teeth to clean away the plaque.
- By flossing and brushing your teeth, you’re removing plaque and the bacteria in it that feeds on sugar and particles of food that remain in your mouth after eating.
Flossing Too Much
No, you can’t floss too much unless you’re flossing incorrectly. If you apply too much pressure when you floss, or if you floss too vigorously, you may damage your teeth and gums.
Alternatives To Flossing
Flossing is considered interdental cleaning. It helps remove interproximal dental plaque (the plaque that collects between teeth). It also helps remove debris, such as food particles.
Tools for interdental cleaning include:
- dental floss (waxed or unwaxed)
- dental tape
- pre-threaded flossers
- water flossers
- powered air flossers
You also need professional cleaning and care if you want to maintain healthy teeth that last. Here at Mona Gokani, DDS, they are committed to helping you keep your smile healthy.
Visit https://www.pleasantondentaloffice.com/blog/798031-how-often-should-you-floss-your-teeth for more information.
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