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Flossing is the removal of plaque and food particles that are stuck between your teeth and under the gums. Bacteria within plaque can cause cavities, gum disease, and some forms of bacteria in your mouth can even cause oral infections in other parts of the body. A good oral hygiene routine should include proper tooth brushing and daily flossing.

Brushing alone cannot eliminate all the bacteria and plaque that build up between the teeth, significantly below the gumline. This is why flossing is so essential to maintaining overall oral health. At Kirby Smiles, our dentists are happy to help you develop a dental health plan that is most effective for you.

The Benefits of Flossing 

If you don’t habitually floss your teeth, you will miss cleaning part of your smile and risk damaging your teeth and gums. Flossing is essential to maintaining oral health because it removes plaque and food debris from between your teeth and along your gum line, which brushing alone can’t reach. This can help prevent the buildup of plaque, tartar, cavities, and gum disease, which can have serious long-term consequences for your health and quality of life.

In addition to preventing problems, flossing can also improve the appearance of your smile by removing food particles that can become stuck between teeth and cause discoloration over time. These stains can make teeth look yellow or brown and darken enamel's natural color. Removing this buildup allows you to maintain whiter teeth for a more attractive smile.

The Procedure of Flossing

• Thread the floss between your teeth in a C-shape.
• Move the floss up and down in between each tooth.
• Curve the floss around the base of each tooth and gently slide it into the space between the gum line and the teeth. Gently rub up and down along the side of the tooth to clean all the way around.
• If you have trouble reaching certain teeth with a standard piece of floss, use a floss threader to get in between teeth that are more difficult to reach.
• Use a mirror to ensure you’re cleaning every side of each tooth thoroughly.
• Don’t forget to floss behind your last molars! These back teeth are the most difficult to reach and clean appropriately with regular floss. Instead, use an oral irrigator that shoots water into the mouth to loosen plaque and food particles.

Brushing and flossing are the most important aspects of caring for your teeth and gums at home. However, daily maintenance doesn’t replace professional cleanings and exams. Visit Kirby Smiles at 3695 Kirby Dr. Suite 129, Pearland, TX 77584, or call (281) 941-5488 to schedule your next appointment with one of our dentists at our practice!