Parkland Dentist Flossing Advice

Flossing is an easy, inexpensive and effective way to fight plaque, bad breath, prevent cavities, periodontal disease and other dental problems, some of which tend to develop later on in life. It's easy to incorporate it as part of your tooth brushing and dental hygiene routine. Your Parkland Dentist recommends that you floss at least once a day. Some patients prefer to floss after meals, while others prefer before meals and many floss before bedtime. In any event, flossing can be done at any time in the convenience of your home while you are participating in other activities such as watching your favorite television programs. In as little as three minutes, you can help save your teeth and gums. There are not too many things in life that can be accomplished this quickly and have such a profound and positive effect on your overall health.

How Many Times Should I Floss?
Dentists recommend flossing at least once daily. You can never floss too much as long as you do it properly and safely. It should never be done while you are operating machinery or driving. The good thing about dental floss is it's so small you can carry it around with you and even leave an extra in your desk drawer at work. Once you get into the habit of flossing, it becomes automatic. In fact, your mouth will feel so much fresher and cleaner, you will wonder why you haven't been flossing more often.

Best Flossing Techniques
Most people use the "spool method" for their flossing. This involves breaking off approximately 18 inches of floss so that you have enough taut floss to hold in your hand. Simply wind the floss around your middle finger and the rest around the middle finger of your other hand. Slide the floss in the area between your teeth and gums reaching below the gum line as far as it is comfortable so you can reach the bacteria that collects there. For children and adults that have arthritis or other dexterity problems, the "loop" method is a better method to use. You still break off the 18 inches of floss, but you form a circle. Be sure to tie it securely. Using your index fingers. you guide the floss through your lower teeth. For your upper teeth, use your thumbs to guide the floss. You need to go below the gum line and form a "C" on the side of your tooth, gently scraping the side of each tooth to be effective. Don't be concerned if you experience some bleeding or tender gums for the first few days after you floss. If persistent bleeding occurs, you should see your dentist right away.

By taking just a few moments out of your day, you can save your teeth and gums. For more information on dental hygiene and cosmetic dentistry, please browse through our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We service patients in the Boca Raton, Coconut Creek, Parkland, Coral Springs and surrounding areas with the newest and latest advances in cosmetic dentistry.