While most people brush their teeth twice a day, not everyone flosses. Flossing is one of the two teeth cleaning pillars of home dental care for good reason. Here, learn why dentists stress flossing as a crucial part of oral hygiene.

Why You Can’t Skip Flossing

Why Is Flossing Crucial?

Dental floss reaches down between the teeth and under the gumline, two tasks your toothbrush cannot do. The filament subsequently removes more food particles, plaque, and bacteria to give your teeth and gums a deeper clean. Unless you floss daily using standard filament or other products such as dental tape, picks, or a water flosser, bacteria and plaque build up and irritate the gums. There are over 1,000 bacteria strains in plaque that contribute to gumline redness, inflammation, and bleeding.

Without diligent teeth cleaning and twice-yearly dental visits, these gingivitis symptoms eventually morph into gum disease. The disease causes gum tissue to pull back from tooth roots, creating pockets that allow bacteria to thrive. Teeth loosen as gum disease progresses because there is not enough gum tissue to keep them in place.

Flossing also helps prevent cavities since dental plaque and bacteria contribute to caries that create holes in teeth and can cause serious pain. Severe tooth decay invites infection, such as abscesses.

What Is the Proper Way of Flossing?

Improve your teeth cleaning efforts by ensuring you use the correct flossing technique. Instead of simply running the filament between your teeth, work it down between each tooth using a back and forth motion. Create a “C” shape around the tooth as you carefully reach the gumline. The “C” shape allows you to gently move floss under the gums and therefore enjoy a deeper clean.

Repeat the process for each tooth, making sure you use clean floss each time. Flossing with dirty filament does not remove bacteria and plaque effectively. Rinse your mouth once you are finished to prevent dislodged food particles from getting stuck between your teeth again. 

In addition to daily brushing and flossing, schedule professional teeth cleanings and checkups at Dental Clinic of Onalaska. Based in La Crosse County, WI, this practice has served patients 18 and up since 1993. From fillings to veneers, these dentists aim to restore their patients’ oral health. Call (608) 783-3341 to make an appointment or visit them online to browse their services.