Proper flossing can help reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities, and is an important step toward having an overall healthy mouth. In fact, The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing at least once a day in order to achieve optimal oral health.

Daily flossing removes plaque and bacteria from between the teeth — where a toothbrush can’t reach. If you are just learning to floss, you can experience minor discomfort. That usually comes from having the length of floss between your fingers too long and the floss either gets stuck and tears or you cut your gum. It’s important that you don’t stop flossing. If the discomfort doesn’t go away after a week or two of daily flossing, be sure to visit your dental office as soon as possible. Like everything, practice makes perfect.

Flossing Tips for Healthy Gums:

• Floss after brushing your teeth
• Glide the floss in between each tooth using a sawing motion
• Angle the floss in a “c” shape around the tooth and slightly below the gumline
• Repeat on each tooth
• Unravel the floss from your fingers, supplying fresh floss for each tooth

There is debate on whether you should floss before or after brushing. We suggest that which ever you choose the important thing is that you actually do it.

Even if you do floss routinely and assuming you floss correctly, it’s still very important to have regular visits with your dentist. If you’re in need of a professional cleaning or check-up, or if you just want to show off your healthy gums, call to schedule an appointment today.

To brush your teeth properly, follow these steps:

1. Wet your toothbrush and add toothpaste.

2. Hold your toothbrush against your teeth at a 45-degree angle.

3. Use gentle circular motions to brush the fronts, backs, and tops of your teeth.

4. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.

5. Spit out the toothpaste and rinse your mouth and toothbrush with water.

6. Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day.

For good dental health it’s also important to floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.

For most people a visit to your dentist or dental hygienist every 6 months for cleaning is a must. Book your dental appointment today.

A common question we hear at Stockholm Dental is, “Do I really need to floss, or is brushing enough?” Unlike many things in life, flossing isn’t a mere suggestion; it’s actually an integral part of good oral hygiene, therefore, an indispensable part of your daily routine.

The purpose of flossing is to remove plaque and food particles from tight spaces between your teeth and hard to reach places. Flossing helps to keep your gums protected from bacteria which can cause periodontal disease. Flossing also keeps your teeth free of decay and your smile white.

The purpose of daily flossing is not only to promote healthy teeth, it further contributes to your health in other ways. There is increasing evidence linking periodontal disease to an increased risk of heart disease and an increase of inflammatory substances in the blood. (See blog post Jan 11, 2022)

Teeth brushing alone may not protect you from gum disease and subsequent tooth loss in extreme cases; however, adding flossing to your daily routine helps improve the health of your gums which in turn prevents gums from bleeding and feeding bacteria which causes tooth decay.

The American Dental Association has recommended flossing since 1908 and that recommendation hasn’t changed. Make the most of your oral care routine.

Don’t skip the flossing.

To floss your teeth efficiently:

1. Take about 1 meter of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and index finger on the other hand.

2. Gently guide the floss between your teeth using a rubbing motion. Be careful not to snap the floss into your gums, as this can cause irritation.

3. Once the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth and gently slide it up and down the side of the tooth, scraping off plaque as you go.

4. Repeat this process on the other side of the same tooth, as well as on all the other teeth in your mouth.

5. Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth to avoid spreading bacteria.

6. Rinse your mouth with water to remove any debris.

For good oral health it is important to floss at least once a day, preferably after brushing your teeth. Regular flossing can help remove plaque and food particles that your toothbrush can’t reach, and can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

During your dental hygienist / dental cleaning appointment ask your dentist or dental hygienist for a demonstration to be certain you are flossing correctly.

When you visit a dentist for the first time for an examination (check-up) or if you have an appointment for a specific problem, the dentist will ask you various questions about your symptoms. Some include:

• What is the problem?
• How long have you had the symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been constant or sporadic?
• How often do you brush your teeth?
• Do you brush before breakfast or after?
• Do you use dental floss? How often?
• How often do you visit a dentist?
• What if any medical conditions do you have?
• Has your health changed over the last year?
• What medications do you take? Take a list with dosages.

Make notes if you have sporadic symptoms as sometimes we think we will remember how we felt, but over time we forget. It is important for the dentist to know under which circumstances you have pain.

If you have pain on the day of your appointment try not to take a pain reliever too close to your appointment as it can mask your symptoms. Sometimes the pain is so unbearable though that you need to take something. If that is the case by all means do so. With pain on that level the dentist will diagnose the problem anyway.

Remember a visit to the dentist is not something to fear. The dentist and hygienist are there to help and make your visit as pleasant as possible.

Take control of your oral health by scheduling regular appointments for a check-up and clean.