Make Flossing a Habit- Tips From Birmingham MI Periodontist

Flossing teeth properly is helpful for maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile. It helps to remove plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach. Because excessive plaque build-up and bacteria in the mouth can lead to gum disease, it is important to floss your teeth every day!

The proper flossing technique involves using about 18 inches of floss. First you want to wind the floss around both of your middle fingers, leaving a couple inches of floss to work between your teeth. While you hold the floss between your index fingers and your thumb, you should gently slide it up and down, between your teeth. You might also curve the floss around the base of the teeth in order to remove particles that have gone beneath the gum line.

It is important that you are very gentle with your gums and do not damage delicate gum tissue. You should also make sure that you are using clean sections of the floss as you move around your mouth.

If your gums become sore, inflamed, or start to bleed during the flossing process, this may be a sign of periodontal (gum) disease. Left untreated, periodontal disease may lead to tooth loss.

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The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.