Why Flossing Is Just as Important as Brushing

Posted on 10/19/2020 by Fariba Mutschler

The Best Way to Brush and Floss in the Back of Your Mouth

Ask anyone if they brush their teeth every day and they will likely tell you yes. Most will say that they brush at least twice a day. But if you ask about flossing, people may admit that they don’t floss every day. Some may not even floss at all. Unfortunately, these same people may also find that they have a number of cavities and other issues. That’s because flossing is just as important as brushing.

Toothbrushes Can’t Reach Everywhere

The main reason why flossing is important is because your toothbrush can’t get everywhere. The area between your teeth is especially difficult to reach with a toothbrush. Even those with very long bristles won’t be able to get between all of your teeth because the spaces aren’t big enough. Only thin dental floss can slip between teeth and clean them all the way to the gum line. Why is this important? Because the spaces between your teeth, though very small, are still large enough for bacteria to gather. If you don’t remove these bacteria often, they will start to eat trapped food particles and other debris, using this fuel to multiply and to create acid. This acid eats away the enamel of your teeth, leading to cavities. You may not notice the beginnings of these cavities since they are between two teeth, so by the time you see them, a good amount of damage may already be done.

Be Sure to Floss Correctly

Just as important as flossing regularly is knowing how to floss correctly. You should only floss once a day, and you should be gentle when you do. If you’re rough with your flossing, you can damage your gums and even the outer enamel of your teeth. Flossing too often can also irritate the gums. A gentle flossing once a day is sufficient to keep your teeth clean. If you have any other questions about flossing, give us a call.

My daughter was a little nervous to have her dental work done but everyone in the office was super friendly and very reassuring and that helped her nervousness go away. Thanks for the excellent dental experience. ~ Lilyana G.

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Our Dental Blog | Great Grins Pediatric Dentistry - Portland, OR
Dr. Fariba Mutschler & Dr. Mark Mutschler have created this informative blog to help educate the community. If you like an article or the dental blog in general please use the share it button to post to Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.
Great Grins for KIDS Portland, 13908 SE Stark Street, Ste C, Portland, OR 97233-2161, (971) 470-0054, portlandchildrensdentist.com, 12/4/2023, Page Phrases: pediatric dentist Portland,