As you know, flossing can play a major role in maintaining good oral health. Conversely, if you don’t floss daily, you’ll probably find yourself facing unpleasant consequences—and sadly these consequences may not be limited to your mouth.
You see, flossing cleans your gum line. In reality, there is not better—or safer—method available or cleaning your gum line. Unfortunately, if your gums—including your gum lines—aren’t cleaned adequately, you may find yourself with gum disease. Sadly, if gum disease isn’t dealt with, you may experience damage to your jaw, the loss of teeth, and the supporting bone beneath your teeth could weaken. Also, if you have gum disease, your gums could peak away from your teeth. If this happens, germs and bacteria will have access to your bloodstream. This can lead to issues such as heart disease, dementia, and even cancer.
Fortunately, proper flossing isn’t complicated. However, there may be a few things you can improve on. For instance, did you know that you should use about 18 inches of floss? This allows you to have a clean piece of floss to use between every tooth. Similarly, had you heard that you should scrape gently under the gum line to remove plaque and food debris that could lead to health issues?
Finally, please remember to be gently with your teeth. Brushing and flossing too hard can actually damage your gums and lead to a different set of complications.
If you have any question or concerns about the kind of floss you should use or would like to review your technique, please don’t hesitate to contact Kaitilin Riley DDS at 805-238-3880. Dr. Kaitilin Riley and out team will be happy to answer any questions you have.
