Do I Have To Floss Everyday?

Yes! You should definitely be flossing everyday. Flossing is essential in maintaining good oral hygiene.  Brushing is good, but it isn’t enough.  Flossing helps attack the hard to reach spots that accumulate plaque and bacteria and damage the health of your teeth.  Here are some facts to remember about flossing the next time you think about skipping that important step!

How To Floss

A lot of people practice flossing incorrectly. To floss properly. make sure you know what you’re doing beforehand.  Ask your dentist to recommend a certain floss, often times they will give you some before you leave.  When you get home, take the floss and rip it off between twelve and eighteen inches. This way, you will have some clean areas of floss to use for those molars!  Gently place the floss in between your teeth and pull the floss back and forth.  Do this a few times between each tooth.  Don’t be overly aggressive near the gumline because your gums can be very sensitive.  Flossing can occasionally cause light bleeding and soreness in your mouth, but nothing too painful or permanent.  Don’t forget to floss between all of your teeth! Even the ones in the back deserve the same care as the ones up front. Plaque and bacteria will find places to live if you let them!

Never become complacent with oral hygiene.  If you feel like you need to consult with a medical professional, Contact Lifetime Smiles.  They will help you learn more about what you can do to maintain healthy and happy teeth!