Want Clean, Healthy Teeth? Then Remember That Floss is Boss!

The next time you think, “I will floss tomorrow,” or the kids say, “We promise to floss in the morning,” you might want to revisit your oral healthcare strategy.

While brushing removes surface plaque, it misses up to 40 percent of plaque that decides to hide between your teeth! This is worrisome because plaque buildup cannot only lead up to tooth decay, but it can also lead to gum disease, which is linked to over 200 other diseases.

Do not skip flossing for yourself or especially for your children. Flossing is by far the most effective way to remove plaque and junk stuck between your teeth. There are a couple ways of doing this correctly; the first way is to use a strand of floss and the second is to use floss picks. Our dentist in Chicagoland has given some great advice for flossing correctly.

If you use a strand of floss, then grab about 18 inches of floss, then wind the majority of the floss around your middle finger on one of your hands and wrap the rest around the middle finger on the other hand. You should have about one inch of floss to use in between for your teeth. Use your thumbs and pointer fingers to kindly pull the floss between your teeth and to the gum line. Move the floss from below the gum line to the top of the tooth a few times to remove the plaque. Rub the floss up against all the sides of the tooth; once you do this, wind the floss so you have fresh floss in between each tooth.

If you use a floss pick, then the hard part is done for you, making the floss taut and having a secure hold on it. Do the same sort of maneuvers with the floss pick that you did with the regular floss. If your teeth are close together and it is difficult to get it to the gum line, then use a gentle, sawing motion to maneuver it down there. You might need to use more than one pick in a flossing session if the floss bit shreds or becomes too loose.

You can also use a WaterPik to compliment your flossing habits, not to replace them.

Flossing is not difficult, but kids may need a refresher and seniors who belong to a generation that never learned how to floss might need a lesson. Call today to ensure your family’s regular check-ups are scheduled, and we will have a flossing refresher for everyone at our Park Ridge dental office.

Here's Why You Need to Floss

Do you want clean, healthy teeth? Then you can no longer tell yourself, "I'll just floss tomorrow." If you want your kids to have healthy teeth, then don't let them tell you, "We'll floss in the morning." Even if you hold true to those promises, you are still skipping a nighttime or morning floss that needs to happen.

While brushing your teeth will remove the surface plaque on those pearly whites, brushing will miss up to 40 percent of plaque hiding beneath the gum line. That can be a real issue because plaque buildup leads to tooth decay and gum disease and is also linked to over 200 diseases, not just oral diseases, either!

Flossing seems daunting and difficult but it doesn't have to be; however, the kids may need a lesson on how to do it correctly. If you floss with your child, they are much more likely to learn how to do it correctly and form the habit. If it is too difficult to use normal floss, then consider floss picks.

Questions or comments? Call or visit Rubino Dentistry about flossing tips! 

Why Should You Floss?

Flossing is another part of your oral health routine, however, it is not the small role player that many people think it is; flossing is actually one of the biggest things you can do for your smile. So why should you floss?

Flossing and brushing do more good for your teeth than only brushing. See, when you brush your teeth, you are removing all the plaque from the top and two sides of your teeth, however, if you do not floss, then you are missing the other two sides (that are between your teeth) as well as your tooth below the gum line). Toothbrushes have a hard time reaching in between your teeth and can't reach below your gum line very well either, this is where floss helps you a ton. If you skip your flossing, you are skipping a significant portion of your mouth when it's all added up.

Flossing protects your gums as well. When we eat food, they can leave behind food particles and also sugars on our teeth that are attractive to bacteria. If these things make their way to below the gum line, they can cause some damage to the root of the tooth and the tissue connecting the tooth to the jaw. What can happen is that these things form plaque which can turn into tartar and that can be what really causes some issues for your gums; it can lead to gingivitis.

If you floss regularly, it can end up saving you money because it can prevent the need for future medical procedures for your mouth, such as root canals and tooth extraction. It can even help prevent other diseases as well; the plaque and tartar that forms can lead to other deceases like Heart Disease.

If you have questions or want to schedule a visit, then contact Rubino Dentistry. We are a Park Ridge dental office located on South Prospect Ave, near Cumberland in Park Ridge. We are walking distance from the train station.