Most people know they should floss every day, but according to a number of national studies performed over the last several years, few people actually manage to do it as often as they should. In fact, a recent survey from the Centers for Disease Control shows that slightly over 32% of Americans never floss. That’s a problem, says your dentist in Lenox Hill.
There was a flurry of reportage last year that flossing doesn’t really matter that much, but fortunately, we have pretty much debunked that myth by now. Flossing is a crucial aspect of good dental hygiene, as it is the only way to remove the leftover bacteria and food particles your toothbrush just can’t reach.
The truth is, people of all ages need to floss at least once daily (flossing should begin when young children have two teeth touching each other). That’s what we and the American Dental Association recommends for preventing gum disease, dental caries (AKA cavities) and a host of oral health issues.
How to Floss Properly
It’s probably been awhile since you learned how to floss, and you may need a little reminder on how to do it right. To start, wrap a piece of dental floss about 18 inches long around your two middle fingers. Leave a space about an inch wide in between. Gently work this part of the floss up, down, and around the base of each tooth. Think of the floss as rubbing against the tooth rather than popping up and down like a rubber band. Working in gentle motions protects your sensitive soft tissues and prevents bleeding gums.
Use a new space of floss between each tooth to avoid redistributing bacteria throughout the mouth. When you are finished, toss the floss in the trash and give yourself a pat on the back!
Start a Flossing Habit Today
For most people, the hard part of flossing isn’t actually doing it — it’s remembering to. A little habit forming can help in a big way when it comes to dental floss. They say it takes about two weeks to pick up a good habit, so work hard for 14 days and cleaning between your teeth at night will be as automatic as pouring that cup of coffee first thing in the morning.
Here are some tips for picking up a good habit. Try a few and see which one works best for you.
- Leave the floss somewhere you are sure to see it at night, like right beside the faucet or on your bedside table.
- Set reminders (whether they’re paper notes or an alarm on your phone) to floss at night.
- Keep track of how many days you manage to floss on a calendar or on your phone.
- Find an accountability partner in your household and start flossing together.
Come See Us for a Healthier Smile!
In addition to daily flossing and twice-a-day brushing, you should visit your Lenox Hill dentist every six months to maintain a happy, healthy smile. When was your last appointment with Dr. Tetelman? Contact us to schedule a visit today!