Brushing and flossing should be ingrained in your daily habits to prevent cavities and gum disease. Kathleen Kujiraoka DDS stresses preventive dental care in her dentist office in Kaneohe, HI, because she knows most dental problems can be avoided if you take good care of your teeth. This family dentist will work with you to optimize your dental health. Here they explain why you need to floss and how to do it right.

Why You Should Floss Regularly

Even though your dentist recommends flossing daily, not enough people follow this advice. Almost a third of Americans never floss, and 37% floss less often than once a day. Flossing is the process of removing food particles in the hard-to-reach places between your teeth. By flossing regularly, you reduce the chance of cavities. Without flossing, the bacteria will attack the enamel between your teeth. Flossing also promotes healthy gums. When you floss every day, your gums don’t bleed, and plaque cannot build up along the edges.

How to Floss Properly

As with brushing your teeth, you must floss properly to achieve optimal results. Start with about 18 inches of floss and wind it around your middle fingers, leaving two inches in between to floss with. When you floss, the string should move in an up-and-down motion along the side of each tooth. Then, curve it around the base of the tooth, making a C-shape.

It’s important to use a clean section of floss for each tooth. You must also take the time to do the side of each tooth instead of trying to get both teeth done at once. While you’ll want to floss below the gum line, you shouldn’t use too much pressure because it could hurt your gum tissues. If you’re not used to flossing every day, your gums may bleed a little for the first few days. If that doesn’t get better with regular flossing, you should consult your dentist.

If you have questions about the proper flossing technique, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your dentist for a checkup and cleaning. The practice of Kathleen Kujiraoka DDS will help you maintain a beautiful smile for life, and they can restore your dental health with fillings or crowns if needed. Call the office at (808) 235-2121 for an appointment, or visit the website to learn more about the services offered.