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What many people don’t realize is that flossing isn’t just about getting rid of food particles. It’s also about eliminating plaque, which contains harmful bacteria. Even with great brushing habits, plaque can build up between teeth, causing decay and gum disease. Plaque can also attach to the surface of teeth, causing discoloration. When you floss, you are getting rid of the plaque stuck between your teeth from the areas where it is hard for your toothbrush to reach.

Here are some ways to make flossing an easy oral hygiene step for you:

Use a Floss Threader

If you have trouble getting the floss under your wires or braces, you can use a floss threader. A floss threader is a long, plastic piece of floss with a loop on one end to make it easier to slide between your teeth.

Floss threaders come in different shapes and sizes, so ask your dentist for a recommendation. They will tell you which type will work best for you.

Use Waxed Floss

Waxed floss is less likely to fray than the regular kind. This helps to ensure that you have clean teeth and that you aren’t accidentally pulling the floss out of the space in between your teeth. Your teeth are more likely to get clean, and you won’t have to worry about getting floss stuck in between your teeth.

Floss before Brushing

Flossing is the foundation of a healthy mouth. When you floss before brushing, you remove plaque and bacteria from the areas your brush can’t reach. Brushing alone won’t clean the tight spaces between your teeth or below the gum line. That’s why the American Dental Association recommends flossing every day.

Floss at Night

Flossing before bed is a great way to remove food particles and plaque from your mouth, which can contribute to bad breath. However, flossing your teeth is another thing to add to your nighttime routine.

What are the Benefits of Flossing?

The benefits of flossing are many. From preventing gum disease and tooth decay to making your breath smell fresh, flossing is an important part of your daily dental hygiene routine. Flossing can help protect your oral health so that you can maintain a bright, healthy smile.

Flossing your teeth helps you avoid cavities. After you eat, food particles can get stuck in between your teeth. Those food particles can cause plaque, which is a sticky, white film that can lead to cavities. Plaque can also irritate your gums, causing them to become inflamed and bleed. If left untreated, this can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Flossing also helps with bad breath. When the bacteria in your mouth mix with food particles, they can produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). VSCs are responsible for that not-so-fresh feeling in your mouth. Flossing can help remove the food particles and bacteria from in between your teeth.

Rivermark Dental at Santa Clara is happy to educate and provide exceptional dental treatments to the community. Please schedule an appointment online or call us at 408-988-7788 to have a consultation with our dentist, and we will be happy to assist you further.