Article verified for accuracy by Christina Cox, RDH
Lead Registered Dental Hygienist
September 25, 2024
Are you half of all Americans who don’t floss? If you are, there are some good reasons to start. Your oral health, meaning your teeth, gums, tongue, and the tissue in your mouth, is connected to the health of other parts of your body. It was found that 95% of people with Diabetes also had gum disease. Flossing helps keep your mouth healthy and your whole body feeling well.
What is the point of flossing?
Throughout the day, your teeth see a lot of action. Coffee, breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner all bring in food that can get stuck in between your teeth and feed the bad bacteria that live there. This causes plaque to form that eventually turns into hard calculus. If you have ever gotten your teeth cleaned at the dentist’s office, that is what the Dental Hygienists are scraping off with their tools. It’s not always a pleasant experience but it is important to get it off your teeth before it causes Periodontitis. This is when your gums pull away from your teeth and leave the important stuff exposed.
That’s where flossing comes in. The best way to avoid calculus building up on your teeth is to floss every day. This also helps prevent gingivitis which is when your gums swell up from the bad bacteria and plaque. Flossing every day can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Do I need to floss if I have dentures or other mouthpieces?
As long as you have gums and bones in your mouth, you need to take care of the plaque, so it doesn’t cause gum disease. When you have dentures, you don’t necessarily need to floss them, but you do need to keep them clean and make sure they fit right. If you have a bridge or veneers, it is important to floss in between your teeth as well as the mouthpiece. Make sure not to pull too hard or you might break them.
What is the right way to floss?
Find a floss that is wax-coated. This makes it easier to catch all the plaque and food left in your teeth. Pull out a string that is about a foot and a half long, or 18”. Wrap the ends around your middle fingers until there is about 4” of floss. As you floss in between your teeth, make sure you aren’t “sawing” the string back and forth. Doing this can cut your gums and lead to infections. Instead, gently use the string to scrape each side of your teeth. As you move through your mouth, untwist and retwist the floss string to use a clean part for every spot.
Once you are done, spit into the sink and rinse out your mouth with water. If you see some blood in the sink, don’t worry. This can mean that your gums are inflamed from gingivitis. The more you floss, the less you will see this. Proper flossing combined with dental cleanings is a great combo to keep your mouth healthy.
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
Ideally, you’ll be visiting your dental office once or twice a year to see a hygienist for a dental cleaning. However, that might not be possible because of cost or limited access to providers taking your insurance. If this is the case, call 2-1-1 for information on low-cost or free dental clinics near you.
Teeth care is whole-person care
Flossing may feel like a chore, but it really does help keep you feeling well. Keeping your mouth healthy not only keeps your breath smelling fresh but also helps reduce the risk of respiratory diseases, helps control Diabetes, and keeps that bad bacteria from making its way to your heart. If you are worried your dental health might be affecting your overall health, schedule time with your dentist or medical provider.
You know what they say… Floss the teeth you want to keep!
Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic
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Chapa-De provides medical care, dental care, optometry, behavioral health, pharmacy services and much more.
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