O’Fallon Dentist Answers Often Heard Patient Questions About Flossing
Flossing is one part of the recommended at-home oral hygiene routine that is often overlooked by patients of all ages. Flossing can be very beneficial for keeping plaque to a minimum, so our O’Fallon dentists encourage our patients to re-commit to their flossing routines.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you jump-start your flossing routine:
1. The best time to floss is at night before you brush your teeth; this allows you to dislodge dental debris from the day and then brush them away to give your smile a clean start before bed
2. The key to success with flossing is consistency. Make sure not to skip days!
3. When you floss, make sure to use a fresh small section of your long piece of floss as you move from tooth to tooth. This will help you prevent compounding plaque as you go, and cross-contaminating from tooth to tooth.
4. Choose a type of floss that fits between all of your teeth—the full length of your teeth. If the floss gets stuck, and doesn’t move all the way up or down, it isn’t as effective.
5. The flavor of floss that you use is up to you! Just make sure it’s a flavor you like, so that you will be likely to keep using it.
If you haven’t been flossing consistently, you may notice that your gum tissues bleed a bit after you start flossing again; this is a very normal occurrence. Keep flossing, and give your gum tissue time to strengthen and become healthier—you should find that the bleeding stops. If your gum tissue does not stop bleeding, talk to your dentist.
Now is the time to recommit to your flossing routine, for the sake of your smile! Our O’Fallon dentists are happy to provide you with more information, and personalized oral health recommendations when you come in for a consultation. Give us a call to get started!