Reasons You Should Be Flossing

Unfortunately, about half of American adults skip out on a major part of their oral care routine. This simple task takes only a minute or two and can save your mouth from gum disease and helps reduce the risk of tooth decay. Do you floss? If not, you should be. Learn more about flossing and what makes it a crucial part of your oral care routine with Dr. Yati Yadav at Your Family Dentist in Peoria, AZ and serving Glendale, AZ.

What does flossing do? 
Unless you suffer from severe under crowding, your teeth probably touch each other. These tight spaces make it difficult for your toothbrush’s bristles to reach the bacteria, plaque and food particles which can become lodged within them. Flossing daily allows you to get into the small spaces between your teeth and underneath your gums to remove these decay-causing substances.

Flossing Correctly 
To floss correctly, you should use an 18-inch long strand of floss. Wrap each end around each pointer finger and pull the strand taught. Move the floss between each tooth, reaching all the way up to and slightly underneath the gums. Be sure to floss each side of the tooth thoroughly and remember to use gentle motions as flossing too aggressively can hurt your oral tissues. Use a new length of floss for each quadrant of the mouth, moving down the length after each tooth to use a fresh section. This will cut down on the spread of bacteria from one area of the mouth to another.

Gum Disease and Flossing in Peoria and Glendale, AZ 
Many people wrongly believe that bleeding gums mean you should stop flossing. However, this myth could actually not be further from the truth. Bleeding gums are one of the earliest warning signs of the gum disease gingivitis, which is an infection of the gums. Flossing daily and removing the built up plaque and tartar causing this condition actually treats and clears up the infection. Your gums should stop bleeding after about two weeks of continued daily flossing.

For more information on flossing, please contact Dr. Yadav at Your Family Dentist in Peoria, AZ and serving Glendale, AZ. Call (623) 878-3300 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Yadav today!