Afro-american man flossing his teeth.

Toothy African Man Flossing And Cleaning Teeth Using Tooth Floss Standing Near Mirror In Modern Bathroom At Home In The Morning. Toothcare And Healthy Oral Hygiene Concept. Selective Focus

There’s been some debate lately regarding whether or not flossing is all that necessary. When the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services removed flossing from their publication Dietary Guidelines back in August, flossers and non-flossers alike took notice. We did, too. And you know what? Your dentist in Marietta, GA has just one thing to say in response: flossing definitely still matters.

HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS NEED DENTAL FLOSS

Flossing was removed from the Dietary Guidelines not for proof that flossing doesn’t work — the departments just decided there wasn’t enough evidence to support the importance of flossing every day. But we’re not convinced by that logic. Perhaps the effectiveness of flossing hasn’t received research funding simply because we already know it works.

Dental floss is the only way to remove the food particles, plaque, and bacteria your toothbrush leaves behind. No matter how well you brush, there are some areas you just can’t reach — like between the teeth. Daily flossing removes plaque, prevents tartar buildup, and reduces your risk for gum disease and tooth decay.

A daily flossing habit adds maybe two minutes to your overall dental hygiene routine, and its benefits are marked. The risk for gum disease rises in adults over the age 35, and then sky rockets after the age of 65. Flossing reduces inflammation and also the risk of gum disease. That couldn’t be more important, given the fact that gum infection has been linked to a number of serious health conditions — like heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and other diseases.

HOW TO FLOSS

To properly clean between the teeth, wrap about 18 inches of dental floss around your index fingers. Use a new piece of floss every time. Gently work a portion of the floss between the teeth, working down the strand as you move through the mouth. Check out this video from the American Dental Association for a refresher on how to floss.

CREATE A FLOSSING HABIT

Sometimes the biggest barrier to regular flossing isn’t the media or your friends’ Facebook updates. Rather, it’s the fact that good habits are difficult to start. So how do you commit to something like flossing? It can be as simple as deciding you’re going to floss every night. Tell yourself you won’t go to sleep until you have flossed, and stick to it. They say it takes two weeks to develop a new habit, so it won’t be long before you feel incomplete without cleaning between your teeth. Put the dental floss in a visible location, like beside your toothbrush, to make sure you don’t forget.

COMBINE FLOSSING WITH REGULAR PREVENTIVE CARE!

Daily flossing is just one aspect of good preventive dental care. In addition to using dental floss, you should brush your teeth for two minutes, twice daily or after each meal, and visit the dentist as recommended for a preventive checkup and cleaning. When was your last visit to the our office? Recommit to your dental health today.

Posted on behalf of Envision Dental

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