Brushing your teeth and attending your twice annual dental checkups, are important cornerstones for good oral health. While brushing your teeth with abrasive toothpaste helps to remove food particles and plaque from the surfaces of your teeth, there are some places it simply can’t clean.
Flossing your teeth immediately after brushing, helps to remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line. If these areas aren’t cleaned the plaque can harden into tartar which is one of the primary causes of gum disease.
It’s important not to force the dental floss between your teeth, as this can injure your gums. You might want to try using waxed floss if you’re having trouble getting the floss between your teeth. Once you have worked the floss between your teeth bend it into U shape. Be sure to floss between the teeth and also work the floss up into the gum line.
Remember to floss behind your back teeth. This area is often forgotten, yet it just as likely to harbor plaque and dangerous tartar.
If you’d like to learn more about flossing please call our office at 828-631-3567 to schedule an appointment. We’re always happy to answer your questions. We look forward to seeing you!