Do you floss every single day?
If you said yes, then congratulations! That means you’re part of a tiny fraction of the population that actually does it, if what the research says is true.
Don’t Believe Fake News About Dental Floss!
Today, our team at Bayou Dental Group is doing our part to educate you on the real news about dental floss so you can appreciate why it’s so important to maintaining a healthy smile!
Fake News: Flossing Is All About Your Food!
Real News: Flossing Is About Preventing Plaque Buildup!
Some people think that the only reason you’re supposed to floss to dislodge food that’s stuck between your teeth.
If that were true, then wouldn’t it be enough to simply grab a plastic flosser or a toothpick to get that pesky piece of popcorn unstuck and move on?
It may be enough in the moment, but it’s not enough to keep your mouth healthy!
That’s why we want you to understand the ultimate purpose of daily flossing, which is to prevent plaque from building up on your teeth and around your gumline before it hardens into tartar.
Tartar can only be removed by a trained dental professional, so essentially, your daily flossing is meant to minimize the chances of sticky plaque inside your mouth to reach that point.
Fake News: You MUST Floss At Night!
Real News: You MUST Floss.
While flossing before you go to bed before or after you brush your teeth is definitely a good choice, it’s not a must. You can just as well decide to floss every morning.
The fact is that the only thing that matters is that you floss your teeth at least once every single day!
If you need help with proper technique or have questions about which kind of dental floss is best for you, call us at 318-323-9303, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions or book your next appointment!
Fake News: Bleeding Gums Mean You’re Doing It Right!
Real News: Bleeding Gums Mean You Might Not Be Doing It Enough!
We’re not saying that any time your gums bleed, it can always be traced back to your poor flossing habits.
What we mean is that daily flossing is an essential part of protecting your teeth from harmful plaque that causes gum disease.
But there are other reasons you might suffer bacterial infection in your mouth, like:
*A family history of gum disease
*Changes in your hormones, such as during puberty or pregnancy
*Smoking or chewing tobacco
*Skipping your twice annual dental cleanings and exams
*A diet that’s high in sugar and acidic foods and drinks
Poor oral hygiene is also on that list, so if you’re not flossing consistently, then you could develop gum disease without knowing it until you see it through a symptom like bleeding gums.
The important thing to remember is that it’s not normal for your gums to bleed, which means you should contact us if it happens so we can figure out what’s causing it.
Make An Appointment
There’s more to achieving and maintaining a healthy mouth than just flossing.
While daily flossing is a crucial part of it, you also have to commit to a nutritious, balanced diet, proper hydration, and regular trips to Monroe, LA dental office for cleanings and exams!
Schedule your next dental check-up so we can make sure problems like tooth decay and gum disease aren’t developing inside your mouth and threatening your healthy, beautiful smile!
Call Bayou Dental Group today at 318-323-9303 or fill out our online form to book an appointment.