You know you should do it, but perhaps you never do. What is it? Of course, we’re talking about flossing your teeth! The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you floss your teeth once a day and brush twice a day. 

Perhaps you brush your teeth as you should, but neglect to floss. Maybe flossing seems too tedious to do the proper way, or you may feel like it’s not really necessary if you brush regularly. Perhaps you simply forget to floss. Whatever the reason, flossing is an important part of a good oral care regimen.

In case you didn’t know it, November 26 (the day after Thanksgiving) is National Flossing Day. What better time to floss your teeth than right after a delectable Thanksgiving meal? With that thought in mind, the team at Houston Uptown Dentists wants to devote this blog post to flossing and its importance.

If you have any questions about your oral care or if you need to make an appointment, give us a call at 832-463-1021 and a friendly team member will be glad to help.

Good Flossing Will Give You Great Results

What’s the big deal with flossing, anyway? Simply put, if you floss properly and regularly, you’ll reduce your chances of developing cavities and gum disease. Food particles can become trapped in between your teeth, and routine brushing may not remove them. 

Left alone, this debris can allow bacteria to flourish. The bacteria secrete acids that can create holes (cavities) in your tooth enamel over time. Bacteria can also build up around and under your gumline, leading to gum disease. Flossing removes trapped food particles and helps keep your smile on track to be both beautiful and healthy.

Here’s how the ADA recommends you floss your teeth:

  • Start with a piece of dental floss that’s about 18 inches long.
  • Wrap the ends around both of your middle fingers to serve as an anchor.
  • Hold the floss on each end between your thumbs and index fingers.
  • Gently insert the floss between your teeth.
  • Curve the floss into a “C” shape around your tooth.
  • Using a smooth motion, move the floss up and down against the edge of your tooth to remove debris.
  • Rinse the floss as needed to keep it clean and allow it to work properly.
  • Remember to floss in between each of your teeth and be sure to floss your back teeth as well.

Some people prefer to use a floss pick rather than dental floss, which is fine. Here is a good approach in that case:

  • Insert the pick between your teeth, gently pressing it against your gums.
  • Move the pick up and down against the edges of your teeth to remove food particles. 
  • Rinse the pick as needed and remember to floss between all your teeth.

Following these flossing steps every day will help you maintain a beautiful smile and healthy mouth. If you need to make an appointment for a dental cleaning and exam, just give us a call at 832-463-1021. You can also make an appointment online.