A Flossing Guide to Better Health

Why Flossing is so important

For your best smile restoration, brushing isn’t enough. Ask your Boise dentist at your next Boise teeth cleaning, and Dr. Robert Studebaker will tell you that while floss may seem like a simple piece of string, it is an important tool at preventing bacterial buildup that leads to problems like cavities, bad breath, and gum disease.

Flossing also removes food particles trapped between your teeth and gums that tooth brushes can’t reach while boosting your overall health by lowering the chances of developing gum disease which compromises your immune system leading to problems like heart disease and other major problems throughout the body.

While ideally you should be flossing after every meal, keep in mind that during the night, your salivary flow is very low which promotes bacterial growth while you sleep. Floss every morning and before bed each night to remove any food particles between your teeth from eating throughout the day.

What kind of floss should you use?

Just by going to the dental aisle of your local drugstore, you’ll see there are several varieties of floss to choose from. When it comes down to a specific brand keep in mind no floss is more effective than another when it comes to cleaning your teeth. It all comes down to what type of floss you prefer, and feel comfortable using when it comes to your daily regimen. No matter what type you choose, flossing helps to promote clean teeth and remove food particles and bacteria.

ADA Approved: Flossing Tips & Pointers

• Start with about 18 inches of floss. Wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand, the rest around the other middle finger.
• Grasp the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, and use a gentle shoeshine motion to guide it between teeth.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, form a C shape to follow the contours of the tooth.
• Hold the floss firmly against the tooth, and move the floss gently up and down.
• Repeat with the other tooth, and then repeat the entire process with the rest of your teeth, “unspooling” fresh sections of floss as you go along.
• Boise dental crowns & bridges & Boise tooth implants should brushed and flossed like any natural tooth.

• Flossing before you brush is also a good idea. The fluoride from the toothpaste has a better chance of reaching between the teeth. Don’t skip flossing because you think your mouth is clean after simply brushing.
• Last but not least, don’t forget to floss the backs of your last molars. Gum disease & decay often occur in the back teeth.

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-10/flossing-floss-sticks