Oral health is directly linked to your overall health and the more you can do to keep your mouth healthy, the more you are doing to keep yourself healthy. The goal of both brushing and flossing is to remove the plaque and tartar on your teeth from eating.

When you brush your teeth you are getting the front and back of your teeth but not the areas between your teeth and around your gums while flossing allows you to get. You wouldn’t wash your car, but leave your doors dirty would you? That’s the same thought behind flossing.

Flossing 101

Flossing that is done correctly will be done in a C-shape and be held with your thumb and index finger. The floss should cover as much as the tooth as possible. Make sure to move the floss up and down around the outer part of the tooth all the way down to the gums. By doing this, the floss will get the plaque and tartar from your whole tooth and gums.

Flossing can help prevent cavities and tooth decay but it needs to be done on a consistent basis. If you don’t floss consistently, or if you are flossing for the first time in a while, then some bleeding is normal. If bleeding continues after you floss for a few days in a row, make sure to call us. It’s important to remember not to floss too hard, gently bring the floss up and down and it should go in easier.

Flossing & Your Health

Flossing will not only help improve your smile but your overall health as well! It’s best to floss every day to remove any food that could be stuck in your teeth. By having clean and healthy gums, you will be stopping the cycle for gum disease and bone loss.

At every continued care appointment, your dentist will make sure to thoroughly floss your teeth to remove all the build-up of the plaque and tartar. To schedule your appointment, you can call us at (781) 780-2246 or contact us on our website. If you have questions about flossing, feel free to ask us on your next appointment.