Exceptional dental health has a huge connection to your physical and mental wellbeing, and nothing is more important for your health and your self-esteem than excellent oral hygiene.
Your smile is the window to all of this, and remembering to floss regularly is a vital part of your overall self-care routine. At a base level, flossing as one of your daily healthcare habits is a critical factor in avoiding painful and unsightly dental issues in the future.
How to floss
Effective flossing enables you to remove bacteria from your mouth when it’s done well. Bacteria is the precursor to harmful plaque, and if allowed to remain in your mouth, will rot and turn into tartar. Once you have tartar build-up, using a toothbrush to try and eradicate it won’t help, no matter how often you clean your teeth.
It’s important to floss your teeth correctly, using a quality floss, and without being too rough on your teeth and gums. Hold the floss between your index and middle fingers, and using a gentle backwards and forwards C motion, slide the floss up and down between each tooth. This is an easy way to tidy up those pearly whites efficiently.
How often should you floss?
If you want to avoid a build-up of bacteria in your mouth, then regular flossing, at least once a day is essential. Ideally, do this in the morning and at night, to get into a good routine.
We recommend taking up this approach at least 3-4 times a week, but prevention is better than treatment, so a daily flossing routine is always the most ideal way to combat build-up.
Regular flossing and careful attention to the health of your mouth will also ensure that your trips to the dentist are positive occasions. A routine check-up should be all that’s required, and you can say goodbye to more complicated dental care.
What happens if you don’t floss?
Missing out on a daily flossing routine can have negative consequences to your overall health, beginning in your mouth.
Once you begin to have problems with bacteria, plaque and tartar, there’s a strong possibility that your teeth may start to decay and break. Bad breath can be another horrible reminder of what’s happening in your mouth too, and it’s guaranteed to make a person self-conscious in social situations.
Tooth loss may cause issues when you are eating and drinking, not to mention the fact that your teeth may begin to shift in your mouth, altering your facial aesthetic and possibly having an impact on your jaw structure.
While it may take a few extra minutes in the morning and night, a little care and consideration toward a daily dental hygiene program is an act of self-love that shouldn’t be neglected.
If in doubt, always ask your dentist for more information about the best approach.
Think you may need a check up on your oral health? Get in touch with our friendly dental team to see if your flossing methods are up to scratch.