If your goal is to keep your smile safe from harm, your oral care routine should have you flossing at least once per day. If you are not flossing at all, then you allow bacteria and food particles to accumulate in spaces between teeth, which are difficult to clean with brushing alone. What you should know is that even if you are flossing each day, there may be refinements to your practice that you should consider. Our St. Louis, MO dental office is happy to talk to you about how you can make improvements to your daily oral care habits during a routine dental appointment.
How Important Is Flossing For Your Overall Oral Care Routine?
Flossing protects areas of your smile that are difficult to access with your toothbrush. If you want to keep your smile free of plaque and calculus deposits, while also clearing away any food debris that can become wedged between teeth, you should floss each day. This practice makes you less vulnerable to problems with gum disease, and can help you avoid troubles with teeth that require restorative dental work.
Follow These Steps To See Better Results From Flossing
Your flossing routine should see you take care of hard-to-reach spaces at least once per day. In order to make the most of each session, make sure these spaces are being fully cleaned. For many people, flossing is less effective because they only move the string back and forward. Moving the string vertically clears away more harmful agents, and it allows you to address the base of your teeth. This attention to your gum line removes bacteria that can create periodontal problems.
More Tips For Effective Smile Care
Make sure you brush at least two times a day! As with flossing, it is important to make sure you are cleaning every portion of every tooth during each session. Move your brush so that you cover all areas of your smile. Brushing with too much force does NOT help you remove unwelcome agents – in fact, consistently brushing aggressively can wear down your enamel, and make you more vulnerable to trouble. Following these tips, and seeking regular dental checkups, will help you prevent the issues that lead to the placement of dental fillings or dental crowns.
Our St. Louis, MO Dental Practice Can Help You Keep Your Smile In Great Shape!
At Magnolia Family Dental in St. Louis, MO, Dr. Johnson-G’Sell is ready to help people keep their teeth in terrific condition! In addition to receiving a professional cleaning and evaluation, you can use your time at our practice to talk about your daily oral care routine, and receive tips to help you better defend your smile against tooth decay and gum disease. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnson-G’Sell, please call our St. Louis, MO dental office at 314-822-4521.
