What is Flossing?

Posted on 8/15/2024 by Madison Family Dental

A close up of a person flossing their teeth

Flossing is the practice of cleaning the spaces between your teeth using a thin, flexible filament called dental floss. It's an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene, along with brushing your teeth twice a day. While brushing effectively removes plaque and food debris from the surfaces of your teeth, it can't reach the tight spaces between them. This is where flossing comes in.

Why is Flossing Important?

Flossing helps to remove plaque and food particles that can build up between your teeth, leading to several oral health problems:

•	Cavities: Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria. When these bacteria break down sugars in food, they produce acid that can erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities.
•	Gum disease: If plaque isn't removed, it can harden into calculus (tartar), which irritates the gums and causes inflammation. This inflammation can lead to gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that can damage the bones and tissues supporting your teeth.
•	Bad breath: Food particles and bacteria trapped between your teeth can contribute to bad breath (halitosis).

How to Floss Properly

Flossing effectively requires proper technique:

1~	Break off a 18-24 inch piece of floss. Wrap the ends around your middle fingers, leaving about 1-2 inches of floss free to work with.
2~	Pinch the floss between your thumbs and index fingers. Use a gentle sawing motion to guide the floss between your teeth.
3~	Curve the floss into a C-shape around each tooth. Slide it gently up and down along the sides of each tooth, making sure to reach below the gum line.
4~	Repeat this process for all your teeth. Be sure to use a clean section of floss for each tooth.

Additional Flossing Tips

•	Floss at least once a day, preferably before bed. This will help remove food particles and plaque that have built up throughout the day.
•	Be gentle. Don't snap the floss against your gums, as this can cause irritation and bleeding.
•	If you have difficulty flossing, try using a floss holder. These are available at most drugstores and supermarkets.
•	If you have any questions or concerns about flossing, talk to your dentist. They can show you the proper technique and answer any questions you may have.

Conclusion

Flossing is an important part of maintaining good oral health. By flossing regularly, you can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. If you're not already flossing, talk to your dentist about adding it to your daily routine.

Madison:

5709 Odana Road,
Madison, WI 53719

608-274-5970

Hours

Mon - Thurs: 7 am - 6 pm
Friday: 7 am - 2 pm

DeForest

502 Nelson Court,
DeForest, WI 53532

608-846-3302

Hours

Monday: 8 am - 5 pm
Tuesday: 7 am - 4 pm
Wednesday: 8 am - 5 pm
Thursday: 8 am - 5 pm
Friday: Closed

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Madison Family Dental Associates, 5709 Odana Rd., Madison, WI 53719, 608-274-5970, madisonfamilydental.com, 12/11/2024, Page Phrases: dentist Madison WI,