Should you be flossing?

It’s a well-known fact that most people don’t floss. When you’re going for your regular dental checkup, the dentist will probably tell you to start brushing twice a day and use an extra piece of string or stick in between cleanings just so no food gets stuck in those spaces behind our teeth. Those places tend not only to get accumulate plaque but also food particles from what we eat during mealtime. In other words: FLOSSING IS IMPORTANT!

When someone is flossing, it’s important to make sure that they are getting down and really hugging the teeth.

Should you floss every day?

It is important to maintain good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice every day and floss at night before bedtime for a healthier mouth in the morning with less plaque accumulation that could lead to tooth decay or gum disease!

You should floss before bed, but even if you have downtime in between meals, or throughout the day, it doesn’t hurt to pull out your floss and floss then.

Here are some tips to follow for flossing!

1. Don’t overcomplicate it. Don’t overcomplicate your flossing routine! It’s simple and will fit right into the daily brushing you do every night. Dr. Jackson said a single session a day is all that’s needed to keep gums healthy, so just follow her advice for perfection in care of those pearly whites.
2. Types of floss. Flossing can make or break your teeth and gums.
   A floss pick is a great way to get those pesky strings out from between the gaps in our smile, but there’s also traditional string floss that we should be using regularly because it provides cleaner results than just picking at food stuck in our teeth! Dr. Jackson says this will result in not only cleaner mouths but healthy enamel too- plus less risk for gum disease.
3. Use a “C Shape” method when flossing. If you want to really clean your teeth, then the best way is by using dental floss. Dr. Jackson teaches us how we can use our fingers and thumbs as well as wrap it around middle ones for more control near one’s gums before making a C-shape hug close to the tooth’s sides while going slightly below them; move up five times from bottom surface of first tooth cleaned (going slightly over gum line), make same pattern on opposing side next time moving upwards towards top dentition: repeat.
4. Stay CONSISTENT with your routine. Being consistent with your hygiene routine is extremely valuable to your health. It is important to floss regularly because it can remove particles of food, bacteria and plaque from your teeth. The best oral hygiene routine includes daily brushing for two minutes with a soft bristle toothbrush, flossing, plus rinsing twice per day; these 3 steps will keep unhealthy things away!
5. Make regular visits to your local dentist. Dental cleanings are an important part of oral health. Every three to six months, depending on the health of your gums is recommended by Dr. Jackson for best results.

Do you have a local dentist that you visit every three to six months for regular visits? Dr. Jackson would love to become your go-to dentist here in Murfreesboro, TN. Give us a call in office to get set up 615-904-1700.