Are you guilty of neglecting to floss your teeth as part of your oral hygiene regime? Many people fall into this trap, which can lead to bigger problems down the line. From this article, you can learn how to floss properly and why it is so important!
HOW TO FLOSS PROPERLY.
To floss follow the simple steps below:
- Break off about 30cm of floss and wind it around your middle or index fingers on both hands.
- Holding the floss firmly, guide the floss gently between your teeth using an up-and-down rubbing motion. Be careful not to forcefully push the floss into your gums, as this can be painful and cause bleeding.
- Once the floss is near the gum line, curve it against one tooth in a ‘c’ shape and gently rub the side of your tooth, using an up-and-down motion.
- Repeat on all remaining teeth and follow with brushing your teeth to remove debris.
You should only use a piece of floss once before throwing it away, as it can hold bacteria (and you don’t want to put that back into your mouth!)
WHY IS FLOSSING SO IMPORTANT?
Flossing is important because it:
- reduces your risk of cavities (and trips to the dentist to fix them!)
- helps prevent gum disease (eg gingivitis) that can develop into worse conditions (eg periodontitis)
- helps remove bacteria that cause bad breath.
Most importantly, your floss can reach parts of your mouth that a toothbrush can’t always reach properly. It removes plaque and food particles between your teeth and along the gum line, making it a critical step in your dental hygiene routine.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU FLOSS?
You should aim to floss at least once a day (before bedtime) – but ideally, brush and floss your teeth twice a day.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T FLOSS?
Some of the negative impacts you might face if you don’t floss include:
- a build-up of bacteria in the mouth can lead to gum disease.
- tooth loss as a result of gum disease.
- dental decay developing between the teeth or under a filling.
- bleeding gums as a result of plaque build-up.
- bad breath from bacteria and leftover food particles.
SHOULD I FLOSS BEFORE OR AFTER BRUSHING?
Contrary to the order in which some people perform their teeth cleaning routine, it’s better to floss before you brush to loosen particles and debris from the teeth, then brush away with your toothbrush.
If you’re one of the many Australians who don’t currently floss, don’t stress – it’s not too late to start flossing and minimise any future damage to your teeth and gums.
