Where Does Flossing Fit In Your Oral Hygiene Routine?

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Where Does Flossing Fit In Your Oral Hygiene Routine?

By Wright Smiles

You should certainly reach for your floss if you have something stuck in your teeth. With that said, this should not be the only time you work to clean in the spaces where your teeth meet. Your oral care routine should include flossing on a daily basis if you want to keep your smile fully protected against tooth decay and gum disease. If you have questions about oral hygiene, your Southlake, TX dentist is able to address them during a routine dental exam. We understand that while regular preventive appointments matter, what you do between these visits is also important for your oral health. Our practice can offer tips and guidance for patients of all ages, and we can help our younger patients learn the basics of oral hygiene during pediatric dental exams.

Flossing Should Be Part Of Your Daily Routine

If you want to keep your smile healthy, make sure you floss on a daily basis. When you only brush your teeth, you can leave the spaces where they meet poorly cleaned. After all, there is only so much your brush bristles can do to help you remove harmful plaque and food debris in these hard-to-access areas. Flossing can clear away harmful particles that you might be missing, making you less likely to have plaque and tartar buildup.

What Does Effective Flossing Truly Look Like?

In addition to flossing as part of your daily routine, you should be working to fully clean those spaces between teeth. People who floss often may be less protected than they realize because they only move the string back and forth. Vertical motions ensure that teeth are cleaned from their tops to their bases. Cleaning at the bases of teeth can be particularly important for protecting your periodontal health.

The Link Between Flossing And Your Periodontal Health

The plaque and tartar formations at your gum line can be responsible for gingivitis. Gingivitis forms when oral bacteria move beneath your gums and start to cause harmful problems like inflammation. You may bleed more easily when you brush and floss when your gums are infected, you can have a harder time avoiding bad breath, and you can be more likely to suffer a change in your gum line. In the long term, problems with your periodontal health can actually make you more likely to experience tooth loss!

Your Southlake, TX Dentist Can Offer Guidance On Good Oral Hygiene

Your Southlake, TX dentist’s office is proud to provide important oral health services to people in and around our community. Dr. Wright, Dr. Heron, and everyone on our team are prepared to help patients of all ages enjoy quality smile care.

Call our to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.