Benefits of Flossing your Teeth
Flossing is a low-risk and low-cost task, and because clinical studies show that it is effective when it is done well. If you are feeling any pain while you are flossing, then you are probably being a little too aggressive at it. The goal is to get the floss kind of wrapped around the part of the tooth that is next to the adjacent tooth, so you want to kind of wrap the floss around the neck of the tooth and run it up and down, so that you are dislodging the food and the plaque and the bacteria that are in that space.
The goal is to make sure that you are flossing effectively, and then the results will be fairly clear to the patients. I think removing plaque is a good thing and anything you can do that helps that is something you should be doing.
There are five surfaces on each tooth, including three that a brush can clean. This includes the front, back, and top or bottom of the tooth, and two sides that require flossing to clean. It is recommended to floss as a preventative approach for two reasons. It can help prevent tooth decay that can originate from the presence of acid-producing bacteria between teeth. It also helps to prevent gingivitis that can stem from an immune system-mediated inflammatory response to the presence of bacteria between teeth.
However, gentle and correctly done oral hygiene, that includes both brushing and cleaning between your teeth, will help prevent problems. If you notice any pain or discomfort between appointments, make sure to notify us. Ignoring the issue will only make it worse in the long run. Maintaining clean and healthy teeth is a best-practice approach to maintaining lifelong oral function and preventing tooth loss.