Elmwood Dental
Your West Hartford, CT Dentist

How to Tell if You Are Flossing Often Enough

Posted on 11/25/2019 by Elmwood Dental Group

A lot of us have mastered the art of brushing our teeth at least twice a day. That's awesome. However, did you know that brushing your teeth only does 70% of the job?

The rest of the percentage is left uncleaned and often could lead to accumulation of plaque which is dangerous for your general oral hygiene and could lead to infections.

Plaque is a thin microbial biofilm that is formed from food particles collected after eating. When bacteria work on this thin film, acid is produced which then goes ahead to erode the tooth enamel. This process also endangers the gums and could lead to periodontal disease.

Why Is Flossing Important And How Is It Done?

Flossing is the process of passing a medicated piece of thread through your teeth. You should use a long string that will help cover all the teeth you have. You should pass the floss in between your teeth and then make a “C” shape around each tooth, then slide the floss off each tooth using a new section of floss each time. You begin to notice buildup coming off. Do the same for the other side of the same tooth before moving to the next one.

How Can I Know That I Am Flossing Well And Enough?

If you want to determine whether you are flossing enough, there are a few things you can check. First of all, you should do it on a daily basis. This is because you eat every day. You should use pressure to remove all the plaque. If you have extremely bad breath in the morning after flossing at night, you might not be doing it well or enough.

Visit us today at our clinic and speak to one of our dentists about the best floss for you to use for your teeth. You could also schedule an appointment and get your teeth properly cleaned.