Your Invisalign® ProviderAt Toothworks, we recommend our patients brush their teeth at least twice a day, and floss once per day. There are actually some myths about flossing we often clear up for our patients. Today, our dentists at Toothworks Bay Adelaide Dental debunk a few of them. We also explain why flossing is so important why you should not skip it.
We must do more than attend regularly scheduled dental checkups to practice good preventive oral hygiene. Having a daily at-home oral healthcare routine is an essential piece of the puzzle. This means brushing and flossing regularly.
By flossing daily, you can effectively clean between your teeth and under the gum line. Flossing not only helps to clean these spaces, it also helps to prevent plaque from building up so you can void long-term damage to your teeth and gums.
Many myths about flossing can cause people to skip this vital oral healthcare practice altogether. Here, our dentists at Toothworks Bay Adelaide Dental in Ontario debunk 5 of these common myths and explain why you should never skip flossing between your teeth.
Myth 1: You only need to floss when you have food stuck in your teeth.
It takes more than brushing alone to remove bacteria between teeth. Only a portion of a tooth's surface is getting cleaned when you brush. Even if you don't see or feel an object stuck between your teeth, plaque is building up, and it can only be removed by flossing. This will prevent issues such as bad breath, gum disease and cavities.
Myth 2: You can use mouthwash instead of floss.
Similar to brushing, mouthwash doesn't remove plaque between your teeth. While adding mouthwash can supplement your oral healthcare routine, it should never be used to replace flossing.
Myth 3: You can't floss because you have braces.
It may be harder to floss with braces, but it is still a necessary practice. With braces, gums are more likely to become inflamed, so flossing will help keep your gum line clean and free from plaque build-up during your orthodontic treatment. Today, there are also alternative orthodontic treatment options, like Invisalign clear aligners, that can be removed for brushing and flossing to make the process easier.
Myth 4: Your children are too young to floss.
It's never too early for kids to start flossing. In fact, the earlier they start the more likely it is for them to develop and maintain good oral health care routines into adulthood. If they are finding it difficult to floss on their own, try to encourage them and help them along the way. If your child is under 10 years old, you can do it for them.
Myth 5: Your gums bleed when you floss, so you should stop.
If your gums bleed, this is usually a sign that you need to floss more often, not less. Your gums could be bleeding simply because they’re not used to being flossed. The more you floss, the less your gums will bleed. If your gums are bleeding continually, then it could be a sign of gingivitis or gum disease, so be sure to share any concerns with your dentist.