You probably understand how brushing your teeth can benefit the health of your entire mouth, but do you know why flossing is important? In reality, there are a number of benefits to flossing, and a few things you may need to do to get the most benefits from your flossing.
As you know, brushing can clean plaque from your teeth. If you don’t brush your teeth, it could harden into tartar, which you won’t be able to remove on your own. Tartar buildup can also lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Sadly, if you don’t floss your teeth, tartar can build up in areas that you can’t—or at least shouldn’t—clean with your brush. Conversely, floss can help you avoid this issue.
Still, to enjoy the benefits of flossing, there are a few things you’ll need to do. For instance, it’s extremely important for you to use a clean section of floss for every tooth—meaning you’ll need about 18 inches of floss. You should floss at least once a day, though keeping floss on hand to use after you eat could also be beneficial. You should form a “C” shape when you floss, to remove as much plaque as possible. Finally, don’t expect your gums to bleed when you floss, though they could swell and bleed if you haven’t flossed in some time. However, this shouldn’t last for more than a week.
If you’re interested in learning more about flossing, or how to floss correctly, please feel free to contact Lawrence Zabner, DMD at 818-766-5246. Dr. Lawrence Zabner and our team will answer any questions you have. We look forward to receiving your call soon.