Flossing is one of the vital actions to take for you to maintain utmost oral health. The Australian Dental Association recommends daily flossing for optimal oral health. Flossing can help in removing plaque from those areas that are hard to reach while brushing. It is not only essential for you to floss, but it is also important that you do it correctly. When flossing is done incorrectly, it could harm your oral health and even undermine your entire body health too.
There are common flossing mistakes that people make,and they need to avoid — for instance, when you fail to floss both sides of your teeth. When you slide down the flossing thread and then pull it up, you are only getting approximately fifty percent of the cleaning done. Instead, you should move the flossing thread up between two teeth to ensure that you are cleaning the side of both teeth. Another common mistake is flossing your teeth roughly. When you are flossing, it is important that you clean off the plaque,however, do not treat your teeth and gums as if they are enemy that needs to be attacked.
Additionally, do not rely on flossing as a sole dental cleanser. As much as flossing is an essential part of your daily oral care routine, it should not be used on its own to clean your teeth. It is still important to brush your teeth twice every day for two minutes, rinse with mouthwash and visit the dentist twice annual for professional cleaning. Using the same section of your flossing thread between all of the teeth is another common mistake that people make. When you are flossing, you are getting rid of bacteria and food debris between your teeth and underneath your gum line.
So, when you use the same section of the flossing thread for all of your teeth, you are spreading around the bacteria. Moreover, flossing too many times can risk damaging your gums and prolonging gum sensitivity. Floss once in a day right after brushing to avoid hurting your gums. Quitting flossing at the sign of bleeding gums is another common mistake made by most patients. If you have not flossed in a while, it is common for you to bleed a bit. Bleeding gums often indicate oral disease which is caused by bacteria build-up and plaque which is what flossing is meant to prevent.
Lastly, keep in mind that flossing is an essential part of your daily oral care routine. For optimal dental health, visit a dentist regularly for clean-up and check-up. At Springvale Dental Clinic, we are a true family oral care practice, and we warmly welcome you and your family. Your dental health and smile are important to us, and we strive for you to thrive.
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