Floss Like a Boss: Simple Tips for a Healthier Mouth

You get up and exercise every day to keep your body healthy and fit. Why shouldn’t you give your mouth the same benefit? Flossing is an important part of an oral routine that too often gets ignored. Much like regular exercise strengthens your body, daily flossing fortifies your oral health. Flossing removes plaque and food particles that a toothbrush can’t reach, which helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Maintaining good oral hygiene can also reduce the risk of systemic health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing at least once a day. By making flossing a daily habit, you not only enhance your oral health but also contribute to your overall well-being. Developing this habit is similar to incorporating exercise into your routine—it takes consistency and commitment, but the benefits are substantial.

How to Floss Correctly

Flossing effectively is important to reaping its benefits. Here’s how you can floss correctly:

  1. Use 12 to 18 inches of floss. Wind most of it around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two to work with.
  2. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide it gently between your teeth.
  3. When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Slide it gently into the space between the gum and the tooth.
  4. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Rub the side of the tooth with gentle up-and-down motions.
  5. Repeat this process for each tooth. Remember to floss the back of your last tooth.

Benefits of Flossing

Image of a dentist wearing a purple mask and colored protective glasses cleaning a young patient’s teeth. Flossing is important for several reasons beyond the commonly known advantages. Here are some lesser-known benefits of flossing your teeth:

  1. Prevents Tartar Buildup: Regular flossing helps prevent the formation of tartar (hardened plaque), which can be removed only by a dentist.
  2. Reduces the Risk of Gum Recession: By keeping your gums healthy, flossing can reduce the risk of gum recession, which can lead to tooth sensitivity and loss.
  3. Prevents Halitosis (Bad Breath): Removing trapped food particles and plaque between teeth helps prevent bad breath.
  4. Boosts Heart Health: Studies suggest that maintaining good oral hygiene through regular flossing can reduce the risk of heart disease.
  5. Supports a Healthy Pregnancy: Good oral health is linked to a lower risk of preterm births and low birth weight in babies.

Interesting Facts About Flossing

Flossing might seem like a boring task, but there are some fascinating aspects to it:

  1. Ancient Practice: Evidence suggests that flossing-like activities date back to prehistoric times. Researchers have found grooves in the teeth of ancient human skulls that indicate the use of floss or toothpicks.
  2. Dental Floss Material: Modern dental floss was invented in the early 19th century and was originally made from silk. Today, most floss is made from nylon or Teflon.
  3. Length Used: If you floss daily, you’ll use about 5 miles of floss over your lifetime.
  4. Plaque Removal: Flossing can remove up to 80% of plaque, significantly improving your overall oral health.
  5. The Floss Dance: In August 2016, The Backpack Kid first introduced the floss dance, which involves quick arm and hip movements that resemble using an invisible piece of dental floss.

Tips for Building a Flossing Habit

Image of a dentist sitting at a desk looking at a computer screen, with a winter-themed patient treatment room in the background.Creating a healthy flossing habit can be easy with the right approach:

  1. Set a Reminder: Use your phone or a sticky note on your bathroom mirror to remind you to floss.
  2. Floss Before Brushing: Flossing before brushing can make it feel like a natural part of your routine.
  3. Use Flavored Floss: For kids and teens, using flavored floss can make the process more enjoyable.
  4. Lead by Example: Parents can floss alongside their children to encourage them to adopt the habit.
  5. Keep Floss Handy: Keep floss in convenient locations like your purse, car, or desk at work to make it easy to floss on the go.

We cannot emphasize how important flossing is to maintaining good oral health—for kids and adults. Just like brushing every day, flossing should be a daily habit—one that will help you protect your teeth and gums, prevent diseases, and improve your general well-being. Remember, the key to lasting health is building and maintaining healthy habits, just like with regular exercise.

Newtown Dentistry is committed to helping our patients develop and maintain healthy dental habits. Schedule your appointment now. Or call us anytime at (215) 774-5496.

  • AUTHOR

    Newtown Dentistry

  • DATE

    July 30, 2024

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