When food becomes trapped between the teeth, this could cause serious issues with the health and stability of the smile. Brushing alone cannot remove these particles, so to keep teeth and gums strong, you also need to clean between your smile every evening. In today’s blog, your Austin, MN, dentists talk about the importance of flossing.
What Does a Toothbrush Miss?
When you brush with a toothbrush, you help remove food and drink particles from the surfaces of the teeth, and you help reduce the severity of plaque before it can harden into tartar. Cleaning your teeth with a toothbrush is essential for better oral health. However, often the bristles cannot remove what has become trapped between the teeth, or along the gum line. Over time, these particles could create plaque and tartar as bacteria break them down, causing buildup that erodes enamel and inflames gum tissues, causing tooth decay and gingivitis. After enough time, periodontal disease could develop as well! Which means you need to take action to remove what these bristles miss.
Flossing Correctly
When you floss, you clean between the teeth and extract what’s caught in the gums. You should begin with an 18inch to 20inch length of tape, with each end wrapped around a thumb and held taut with the index finger. Run the tape up and down each side of every tooth, dipping below the gum line in a “c” motion. Adjust your grip to ensure you use a clean length of tape each time. This should be done every evening before bed! If it helps, you can also use a floss pick or a water flosser. This should also be done for kids as soon as there are teeth that sit side-by-side in their smiles.
Cleanings and Gum Care
To further prevent or manage periodontal disease, you should take time to see our team! A checkup visit means we can perform a professional cleaning, using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to break up and remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth, which protects the smile from worsening inflammation. If you need a deep cleaning or other periodontal treatments, we can discuss these options. Care for your gums helps prevent tooth loss and other major complications, so you maintain a whole and healthy smile. If you have any questions about how we help protect your smile from home and in our office, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About Preventing Poor Periodontal Health?
Our team wants to protect your smile by helping you floss better. For more information on avoiding poor gum health and tooth loss with preventive home care and general dental visits, contact Potach and Mitchel Dental in Austin, MN, today at 507-437-6312.
