Most people make a point of brushing their teeth twice a day, as recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), but fewer people follow the recommendation to floss regularly.
Floss specifically cleans the tight spaces between teeth that the toothbrush just can't reach. It does more than just keep your smile pretty and healthy, flossing helps prevent gum disease, bad breath, and tooth decay. Yet there are some common mistakes people make when flossing that they don't even realize they are making.
Are you one of those people? See below for the top flossing mistakes and how to avoid them:
- You Don't Floss Every Day - Flossing not only removes food particles, but plaque build up as well
- You Don't Floss The Teeth on Both Sides of the Gap - To floss effectively you need to clean the teeth on both sides of the gap, not just pushing the floss between your teeth and out again
- You Don't Floss Behind Your Back Teeth - Plaque can build up behind your back teeth which is difficult to reach with a toothbrush
- You Cut Your Gums When Flossing - Avoid snapping the floss down to get it between your teeth, this will cause you to cut and hurt your gums. Gently move the floss back and forth to slide it between your teeth
- Not Flossing Under Your Gums - Gently clean under your gums with floss to rid accumulated plaque
- You Stop Flossing When Your Gums Bleed - If your gums bleed when you floss, it is a sign that plaque has built up and needs to be removed. Continue to floss and over time the bleeding will lessen and eventually stop
Avoiding these mistakes can help to prevent future problems and keep your smile nice and bright! For information on cleanings or other teeth services, contact All Brite Dental at one of our offices!
- West Dearborn – (313) 908-5110
- Woodhaven – (734) 365-7720
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