You Hate Flossing? Well, How Much Do You Love Your Smile?

Many people dread going to the dentist because they know that their dentist is going to ask them if they have been flossing regularly. Unfortunately, the majority of dental patients admit that they do not floss regularly, and some even admit to never flossing. While this is often not surprising to your dentist (one look inside your mouth will reveal the honest truth anyway), what you dentist really wants you to understand is that flossing is an essential component of your oral health.

Flossing your teeth is more important than brushing them. Let that sink in for just a minute. While you take the time to brush at least twice a day, what your teeth really need is to be flossed. Yes, brushing is important, but flossing is even more important. A toothbrush is designed to clean the outer surfaces and tops of the teeth. However, your tongue and saliva naturally do this throughout the day. What nothing can take the place of is the role of dental floss. Dental floss is the only tool designed to clean the tight spots between the teeth. These tight spots harbor millions of bacteria from food particles and sugars that get trapped between the teeth after eating and drinking.

You know how your teeth feel a little “fuzzy” after going all day without brushing? You run your tongue over your teeth and immediately feel like brushing them to get them clean. Well, when you don’t floss that is how the spaces between your teeth feel all of the time. That “fuzzy” stuff is plaque that has built up, and knowing how quickly it can build up on your teeth in just a few hours should be enough to convince you that flossing is an essential element of your oral hygiene. Plaque can turn into damaging tartar very quickly, and once this happens those bacteria in the mouth move from attacking left over food to attacking the teeth enamel and your gums.

At Green Dental of Alexandria, we are here to serve you with exceptional dental care. We care about you as a person and want to help you achieve the healthiest, most beautiful, and most well attended to smile. We want to be the dental care practice that you depend on for your entire family. We can educate you on the importance of flossing and walk you through making it a habit that you appreciate.