The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day, but we know that for many people, this is a challenge. That's why some of our patients come in for their cleanings and are not completely honest about their flossing habits.
We want you to be truthful about how much you floss so that we know how to best help you.
Flossing is Critical for Good Oral Health
Flossing plays an important role in the prevention of gum disease and tooth decay. Plaque builds up around the gum line and between the teeth where your toothbrush won't reach. Failure to floss will allow bacterial buildup that can wreak havoc on your mouth.
We Can Tell if You Don't Floss
For the most part, lying about your flossing habits is unnecessary, because we can tell whether or not you floss by the condition of your teeth. When plaque isn't removed immediately, it turns into a substance called tartar, and this hard material cannot be removed by any type of at-home oral hygiene. We'll need to use specialized tools to remove it.
We Can Help
Flossing is relatively easy, and we can show you how to do it so that it is painless and comfortable. If you have dexterity issues, we can recommend a pre-threaded flosser or other tools to make the process easier. Otherwise, you- simply need to wrap about 18 inches of floss around your middle fingers. Work the floss gently between the teeth in a back and forth motion and be sure to move on to a new section of floss for each space.
The next time you come in to see us for a dental cleaning, please know that you can be honest with us about your oral hygiene. We want to help you maintain a healthy mouth and beautiful smile, and to do that, we need an accurate picture of how you care for your teeth.