Don't Neglect Your Flossing

When we think of clean teeth, we think about our toothbrushes and toothpaste. Essential as they are, you also need daily flossing, says flossingthe American Dental Association. Flossing removes sticky, germ-filled plaque from between your teeth and at the gum line--places your toothbrush might miss. Your OBX, NC, dentists in Kitty Hawk and Manteo, Dr. Markus Heyder and Dr. Gunther Heyder, ask their patients at Atlantic Dentistry not to neglect to floss so their oral health says strong and their overall well-being remains vibrant.

The beneficial flossing routine

Do it daily, says the American Academy of Periodontology. This association of dentists who study and treat gum disease says that floss is an excellent tool to remove the food residues which accumulate on and between our teeth. Also called plaque and tartar, food residues cause tooth decay and inflammation related to gum disease. Brushing alone doesn't take care of the problem.

Flossing, on the other hand, gets into hard to reach places. Whether you floss in the morning or at bedtime, regular practice of this easy oral hygiene routine can greatly reduce decay and gum inflammation.

How to floss

Be gentle, and never snap your floss against your tender gum tissue. Start by winding an 18-inch length of floss around opposite index fingers. Pull it tight between your hands, and insert it between two teeth. Move the floss up and down, touching the gums, but not abrading them. Move on to the next interdental space, using a clean section of floss. When finished, rinse your mouth with warm water and dispose of the floss.

As a side note, some people prefer using interproximal brushes (they look like little bottle brushes), Y-shaped flossers or water flossers. Ask your hygienist what tool may work best for you, particularly if you have crowns, bridgework or braces.

Keep all your teeth

The National Institutes of Health reports that flossing definitely improves the results of brushing alone in reducing bacteria-laden plaque and tartar. So, your OBX, NC, dentists in Kitty Hawk and Manteo and their team at Atlantic Dentistry recommend it for patients of all ages, including the youngest of children. It's simple insurance against gum disease, tooth decay, and eventual tooth loss.

If it's time for your six-month cleaning and oral exam, please call Atlantic Dentistry for an appointment in the OBX, NC area. Your smile can stay strong and bright! For our Kitty Hawk office, call (252) 261-7700, and for Manteo, phone (252) 475-9841.

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