Chances are you’ve walked out of my office or some other dental office after being told that you’re not flossing enough. You might have even sat in your car and wondered how I can even tell if you’ve run a waxed piece of string between your teeth on a daily basis!
Now, my husband, Jay, or my boys might suggest to you that I have some extrasensory abilities (because I do when it comes to them). But when it comes to assessing your smile, the reality is that my staff and I do not possess psychic powers, nor do we have a special spy network going through your trash on a weekly basis, looking for spent floss cartridges.
No, the truth is that the health of you gums tells the whole story of just how often you floss and just how effective you are at it.
With every meal you eat, a small amount of food particles work their way between your teeth and along your gum line. If they are not removed in a timely manner (preferably sooner than 24 hours), bacteria can go to work transforming them into plaque, which hardens into tartar. These deposits cling to your teeth and invite problems like gum inflammation and periodontal disease, which can greatly affect your overall oral health. In the long term, it can even damage tissues and lead to bone loss in the bones that anchor your teeth.
Flossing regularly, at least once every day (preferably before bedtime), helps to remove food deposits and bacteria before they have a chance to develop into plaque and tartar.
As an added bonus, you can walk out of our office next time with a feeling of pride after hearing how we can tell you’ve been flossing more! Remember, change your smile … change your life!
If you’d like to learn more about flossing, please call our office at 571-261-2600 to schedule an appointment. We’re always happy to answer your questions!