Do you consider flossing as a daily responsibility, or is it something you only do when you can feel something wedged between your teeth? Can you do enough with your toothbrush to keep your smile completely safe against dental decay and gum disease? As effective as good brushing habits are at protecting a person’s smile from harm, there are several reasons to include flossing as part of your routine. The spaces between teeth are hard to reach with brush bristles, but they leave room for bacteria and food particles. When these are not removed, they can form plaque, which can harden to tartar. A daily flossing habit will help you avoid problems with tooth decay as well as gum disease. Remember that in addition to good daily habits, you should have your smile cleaned at the dentist’s office on a regular basis. These cleanings are provided as part of the routine services offered to patients at our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office.
Spaces Between Teeth Are Difficult To Clean Without Flossing
If you are not flossing, you leave the spaces between teeth open to the accumulation of plaque and tartar. While a good toothbrush can reach many spaces that are difficult to access, you can leave the spaces between your teeth poorly cared for when you only perform this task on a daily basis. When you floss, you remove any debris, including oral bacteria, that have gathered where your teeth meet.
What Does An Effective Flossing Habit Involve?
An effective flossing habit should include daily efforts to clean between your teeth. Along with brushing, a regular flossing habit will help you contend with the harmful oral bacteria that gather in your mouth throughout the day. When you take care to floss, make sure that you work between each of your teeth thoroughly, and that you clean at the base of teeth. Vertical motions remove the bacteria that form at your gum line; when they are not removed, they can cause gingivitis!
Other Steps To Take If You Want To Preserve A Healthy Smile
Brushing and flossing matter if you hope to avoid restorative dental work, but they do not remove your need to make good diet choices. A diet that is rich in nutrients and low in sugar will help you avoid dental decay, so you are less likely to need a dental filling at your next oral health exam. Exams continue to be important even if your daily behaviors improve, as you can let tartar build up on teeth or develop an active oral health issue even if you are brushing and flossing every day.
Your Ankeny, IA Dentist’s Office Can Help You Protect Your Smile
Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office is ready to help patients protect their teeth from harmful decay and gum disease during every routine dental exam. In addition to offering in-office care, we are always happy to help patients figure out what they can do at home to better protect themselves against cavities. To find out more, please contact Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.
