Flossing and brushing may seem simple, but they’re vital to maintaining good oral health. Incorrect brushing and flossing techniques can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other serious oral health issues.
Read on to learn about some helpful tips for flossing and brushing correctly. We’ll cover topics such as proper technique, frequency, and more! Call the pros at boca Dental and Braces now.
Flossing is an essential part of a healthy oral care routine and is just as important as brushing. Regular flossing helps remove the bacteria-laden plaque that builds up in between your teeth and under your gum line, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Leaving this debris in place can cause decay, gum disease, and other health issues like heart disease and respiratory problems.
Getting into a habit of flossing every day is key. Whether you do it before or after brushing, it only takes about two minutes to get the job done, and it’s a good idea to stick with the same time of day so that it becomes a part of your routine.
First, cut off about 18 inches of dental floss and wrap it around the middle fingers of both hands, with about three or four inches of space between each finger. Then, use your thumbs and index fingers to guide the floss between your teeth, starting with the top tooth closest to the gum line and moving down to the bottom tooth. Be careful not to snap the floss into your gums, and make sure that you aren’t pushing the floss too hard, or you may damage the delicate tissue between your teeth.
If you have trouble reaching the back molars or other areas of your mouth, try using a special tool designed to help. Several options are on the market, including flossing sticks and specialty picks for those difficult-to-reach spaces. If you’re uncomfortable flossing with a tool, ask your dental team for tips on the proper technique.
Remember that the more often you floss, the easier it will become. Eventually, it will become second nature to you, and you’ll be glad you made it a daily practice. Don’t let a busy schedule or forgetfulness stop you from flossing. Make it a priority to floss regularly, and you’ll be on your way to a lifetime of great smiles!
Brushing teeth twice daily is an essential part of your oral hygiene routine. But how often do we forget that it’s about more than just doing it; you must do it properly.
If you struggle to get the hang of it, try our dentists’ toothbrush and flossing tips.
Cutting your dental floss into shorter pieces is an efficient way to get it done quicker. However, it can result in poor technique and the chance to irritate or scrape your gums accidentally. The ideal length for a piece of dental floss is 18 inches. This will allow you to use different combinations of your thumbs and index fingers to correctly position them between your teeth.
A soft-bristled toothbrush will effectively clean your teeth while preventing damage. Hard-bristled brushes can scratch the enamel of your teeth, making them appear dull and increasing the risk of gum disease. When you brush, use short back-and-forth motions. Start on the outer surfaces of your teeth, then move to the inner areas, and finish with the chewing surfaces. Be sure to brush your tongue to help fight bad breath and remove any bacteria trapped there.
Many people rush when flossing, and it’s easy to do when you don’t realize how important it is. However, flossing can be extremely effective when you take the time to do it correctly. So next time you’re about to brush, make a mental note to spend another two minutes flossing. This will help cement it as a daily habit and ensure you floss efficiently.
It’s also a good idea to floss before you brush, which can result in more food particles getting flushed from between your teeth, according to Sensodyne. Moreover, swishing with mouthwash can help clear away any debris left behind after flossing and improve your breath. However, it should never replace flossing altogether.
A daily brushing routine is the most important tool in the fight against gum disease. But brushing alone cannot remove all the plaque bacteria that cling to teeth, especially in hard-to-reach spaces between the teeth and beneath the gum line. This is where flossing comes in.
Flossing removes plaque in the spaces that a toothbrush can’t reach, such as the small gaps between teeth and underneath the gum line. It also polishes teeth surfaces, which helps reduce tooth decay and the risk of gum disease. It is also 4x more effective than regular toothpaste at removing the main cause of bleeding gums*.
When the plaque irritates the gum tissue, it causes inflammation, swelling, and redness. This is called gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis can be reversed with good oral hygiene practices, including longer and more frequent brushing, flossing, and an antiseptic mouthwash or antibiotics.
If untreated, gingivitis can develop into the more serious stage of gum disease, periodontitis. This typically involves a widespread infection that may require several special treatments, such as scaling and root planing, by a dentist or periodontist to control.
Gum disease is a serious and painful oral health problem that can have lasting consequences for your teeth, gums, and overall health. The best way to protect against it is with proper oral care at home, which includes twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing, along with regular professional dental cleanings to remove any tartar that has formed.
If you need help with flossing correctly, ask a team member for a demonstration or visit a dentist in your area to learn the right technique. Remember to be gentle; flossing in and out between teeth can damage gums. Instead, work the floss into a C-shape around each tooth and gently slide it up and down to remove any food debris. Be sure to use a fresh section of floss for each tooth, as this will help prevent bacteria from spreading from one tooth to the next. For the most thorough clean, use a flossing tool with a wide loop to make it easier to thread the floss into the back teeth and around dental equipment.
Proper brushing and flossing protect against tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral health issues. However, these essential habits are only sometimes practiced correctly, leading to poor oral health, including dental emergencies. It is recommended to make brushing and flossing part of a daily routine. A good brushing technique is to brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes, using the bristles on the toothbrush to clean the outer and inner surfaces of your teeth. You can also use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen your teeth and avoid tooth decay, and rinse with mouthwash to prevent bacteria buildup and freshen your breath.
Flossing is important because it removes food, plaque, and bacteria from the hard-to-reach spots between your teeth and the gum line. If not removed, plaque can harden into tartar, which can only be removed during professional teeth cleaning. It is recommended to floss every day, before or after brushing. Some people find it easier to brush first, then floss, but it does not matter what order you do them in as long as both are done each day.
It is best to floss before you brush because any food or debris released by the floss will be brushed away during your brushing routine. Also, if you floss before brushing, any plaque or bacteria that has not yet hardened can be brushed away with the toothbrush rather than remaining in your mouth until the next floss.
To floss correctly:
- Pull a piece of clean floss about 18 inches long and wrap the ends of the floss around your index and middle fingers.
- Guide the floss between each tooth and the gum line, removing any plaque or food debris as you go.
- When you reach the back teeth, curve the floss into a “C” shape around one of the teeth and slide it gently underneath the gumline.
- Repeat on all the teeth, ensuring the front and back of each tooth. Your gums may bleed slightly initially, but as you continue to floss regularly, this will decrease or stop completely.