Today, we’re delving into the world of flossing. When you floss daily, you can expect to enjoy a healthier and happier smile! Although it may not be your favorite pastime, we’re here to change that. We’ll explore the importance of this common oral care routine and introduce some techniques that will give you the best results.

The Benefits of Flossing

Flossing may do more than you realize. You can’t remove the bacteria that gets between your teeth with brushing alone. Flossing gets into the spaces your toothbrush can’t reach. You can expect many benefits to your smile by having a regular flossing routine:

  • Better Overall Health: When you floss, you get rid of food particles and bacteria that is near your gumline. As a result, you reduce your risk for gum. By doing so, your overall health is better, too. Gum disease can increase your risk for systemic health issues. By keeping it at bay, you are doing your body good.
  • Fresher Breath: If you worry about your breath smelling funky, make sure you are flossing regularly. Food particles getting between your teeth can make your breath smell bad. So, if you struggle with bad breath, a lack of a flossing habit may be the culprit.
  • Saves You Money: By adding this routine to your oral hygiene habits, you save yourself money in the long run. You avoid oral health issues, which means you have less of a risk of paying for costly restorative dental treatments.

Improve Your Flossing Technique

Now that you know the benefits of flossing, we want to share a few techniques with you. Making sure you floss correctly is the best way to get the most out of it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Floss Before Brushing: When you floss matters a great deal. Make sure you floss before brushing, so you are brushing away the food debris and bacteria you picked up.
  • Be Gentle Near Your Gumline: The last thing you want to do is ram your floss up into your gums. Floss gently into the curve of your tooth. 
  • Don’t Reuse Floss: It may be tempting to reuse sections of your floss to save money. However, that can result in adding bacteria into your mouth. So, use fresh floss every time for each tooth.

Want more personalized tips? Call Dr. Jerry Farrell – Family & Reconstructive Dentistry at 607-304-3993 to request your next appointment in Johnson City, NY, or schedule online.