Although brushing your teeth twice a day is an important part of preventing tooth decay and gum disease, if you aren’t flossing, you’re still at risk of oral health problems. Brushing only removes the bacteria that are easiest to reach on the surface of the teeth, but much of the plaque lives between the teeth. Plaque creates a fertile environment for bacteria to begin eating away at tooth enamel, exposing the tissues inside the teeth. At all Bella Smiles locations, we convey just how important flossing is for your oral health.
This where flossing can make a big difference. Flossing removes the plaque that your toothbrush can’t easily reach in places like between your teeth. However, it is very important that you are effectively flossing: As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and flossing is that ounce of prevention where tooth decay is concerned, helping you to avoid painful, time-consuming, and potentially costly restorative dental procedures that can become necessary when tooth decay is allowed to flourish unchecked between teeth.
Some patients prefer to use floss picks. These “Y” shaped pieces of plastic with floss strung between the arms of the “Y” are widely available at most stores. However, dentists prefer using a length of real floss and your hands. Floss picks don’t allow for proper flossing due to the fact that you cannot wrap them around a tooth in the “U” shape recommended. However, it’s still better than not flossing at all.
If you have any additional questions about brushing, flossing, or your oral health, call us or schedule an appointment at our Roslyn, Riverhead, or Nesconset locations.
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