Flossing isn’t something any of us really enjoys doing. Nonetheless, it should be something we do daily.

We visit the dentist every six months for our regular cleaning, and every time we have to embarrassingly admit that we still don’t floss on a regular basis. Flossing covers nearly 40% of the work to remove sticky bacteria (plaque) that stays on and between your teeth. These bacteria can turn into acid, which attacks your teeth and, in turn, causes cavities, irritated gums and left untreated can lead to gum disease, or periodontitis.

Each tooth has 5 surfaces, and brushing twice a day will clean 3 of the 5 surfaces, but what about the other 2? We grind and chew at every meal, causing food to be wedged between our teeth.  Floss is the only thing that can really get into those spaces and clean out the bacteria, making sure all surfaces of your teeth are properly cleaned.

The simple fact is that lack of flossing causes cavities and gum disease, which in turn can also ruin the aesthetics of your smile. A beautiful smile is one of the biggest parts of not just a first impression, but also a sign of how we take care of our hygiene, our physical appearance and ourselves.

Gum disease causes gums to recede, exposing the roots of your teeth, making your smile look less youthful. It also attacks the bones that support your teeth and your lower face. To maintain a youthful look as you age, it is important to preserve the bone you have in your face to keep your gums and teeth in place.

How can you choose the floss that is right for you? Some people tend to get better results when using a wide, flat dental tape, typically made out of either nylon or Teflon, which are both effective. This kind of floss works best for people with larger spaces between their teeth. If you teeth are very close together, you might want to try thin floss, which is easier to slide in and out between your teeth.

Don’t worry if flossing generates a little bit of blood. Bleeding typically means that you have inflamed gums due to plaque built up, which the flossing will help clean away. If using regular floss with your fingers is a struggle, try floss picks. They are made a little piece of floss strung between two little arms on one end and a toothpick on the other end.

If you have any questions or concerns about flossing, contact Highland Park Dental. We will be more than willing to answer your questions or get you in for a cleaning.

Click here for a special Spring Cleaning Offer that includes a cleaning and whitening treatment at Highland Park Dental.

Highland Park Dental
6725 Hillcrest Avenue
(next to Starbucks in Snider Plaza)
Dallas, Texas 75205

214 521-3730
www.hpdentist.com