Yes, Flossing Really Is That Important: Here’s Why, and How to Do It Properly

The toothbrush is a vital tool for oral hygiene, but it can’t do everything. While the brush can remove food and plaque from the surface of your teeth, it can’t reach the tight spaces in between them. That’s why flossing is so important.

At Solay Dental in Oldsmar, New Port Richey, and Brandon, Florida, Dr. Shiva Soleimani and our dental team emphasize the importance of flossing as part of our preventive dental care program. In this month’s blog, we’re breaking down flossing and how to do it properly.

Flossing to save your smile

Flossing only takes a few minutes, making it easy to skip when you’re rushing in the morning or too exhausted to bother at night. After all, you just brushed your teeth. You did enough. What’s one day without flossing?

The truth is, skipping flossing one day makes it easier to skip the next and before you know it, flossing is no longer a part of your daily teeth-cleaning routine. 

Even if you brush diligently, flossing still plays a crucial role in maintaining oral hygiene. It not only benefits the look of your smile by removing plaque that may turn into yellow tartar but may protect your overall health by removing bacteria that could spread beyond your mouth.

Flossing for gum health

One of the most important reasons to floss your teeth is to maintain healthy gums. Eating and bacteria make your teeth vulnerable to decay. The bacteria thrive on the little bits of food that get stuck on your teeth, creating plaque, the sticky substance that adheres to your teeth. 

Brushing only removes the food and plaque from the surface of your teeth, it doesn’t reach between the teeth or below the gumline. Flossing is the only way to clean those areas and prevent plaque buildup in those spots.  

When you skip flossing, bacteria have more time to feed, plaque hardens into tartar, and your risk of developing gum disease increases. 

How to properly floss

Proper flossing is more than a quick snap in between the teeth and moving on. To do it right, you need to gently slide the floss in between your teeth, curve it into a C-shape around one tooth, and glide just below the gumline. Then, slide the floss upward along the surface and repeat with each tooth. 

You should floss before brushing.

It may seem complicated, but it’s a simple process and once you get the hang of it flossing becomes second nature. Our dental hygienists are happy to demonstrate how to properly floss during your routine dental visit. 

Importance of regular dental care

Brushing and flossing daily are your first line of defense against cavities and gum disease. But even the best at-home dental care routine can’t remove the tartar that builds up over time, especially under the gum. 

That’s why we schedule regular visits to remove the buildup. At Solay Dental, we use special tools to clean your teeth thoroughly and remove hardened tartar. It’s also a good time for us to check in on your brushing and flossing techniques and help you hone your skills.

Are you looking for a dentist who can help you take better care of your teeth? Call us today or book an appointment online.