Many people may skip flossing as a part of their oral hygiene routine. However, flossing daily is important to help prevent the most common dental problems: gum disease and tooth decay. Patients who do not floss can experience bleeding gums which are a sign of gingivitis or gum inflammation. So what does flossing do for oral health, and why is it so important? Here we will discuss how integral flossing is to oral health and why it’s important to visit our dental office in Bethesda, MD, for routine care.
What Does Flossing Do?
Dental floss loosens and removes debris from between teeth. Flossing regularly helps patients thoroughly clean their smiles and reach areas of the smile that a brush cannot. We recommend that patients floss before they brush their teeth. Once the dental floss removes food debris and bacterial buildup between teeth, brushing thoroughly cleans the area.
Choosing the Right Floss For You
The type of floss you use can help you get a better clean, whether you have gaps between teeth or a dental restoration. The thickness of the floss and the floss material can vary to work for your specific needs. If there are no gaps between your teeth or your teeth are close together, you may want to use thin floss. Thicker floss is best if you have larger gaps between teeth. Wide floss or dental tape is more likely to give you a better clean.
Additionally, a dental floss pick made of plastic may be ideal if you have mobility issues and cannot use traditional floss. Another alternative to traditional floss is a water flosser which uses water pressure to clean between teeth. Water flossers also benefit patients with dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or dentures. While patients can learn cleaning techniques between dental restorations, water pressure can be useful for some patients.
Flossing and Regular Oral Health Checkups in Bethesda, MD
Flossing daily can minimize your risk of problems such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and cavities. A good oral hygiene routine that includes flossing can also combat halitosis or bad breath. Additionally, we recommend that our patients schedule regular dental appointments so we can keep track of their smiles and clean their teeth and gums.
We use water flossers and traditional floss at regular appointments when we clean the smile. Our dental hygienists also use stainless steel dental tools to remove bacterial buildup between teeth. These dental tools can easily get hard-to-reach areas in the back of the mouth. If needed, we can recommend scaling and root planing treatments that remove bacteria from beneath the gums and tooth roots.
Do you need regular dental cleanings to supplement your at-home oral hygiene routine? Call Dr. Srotalina Khanna for high-quality dental care today at 301-500-2205. You can also request a dental appointment on our website. Please let Dr. Khanna know if you have any questions at your next dental visit at Bethesda Family Smiles. She is always happy to help her patients get the right dental care for their needs.