If you haven’t been a regular flosser, the time to start is now!
Cleaning in-between your teeth is extremely important, which in turn can help you to prevent cavities and gum disease The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between the teeth daily with an interdental cleaner (like floss) daily to remove the plaque (containing bacteria) that adheres to the teeth surface. If not removed from the teeth, it builds up over time and the bacteria inside of the plaque produce acids that eat away the outer surfaces of the teeth causing a cavity. Over time, the plaque will harden into a hard substance called tartar (calculus) and it can build up over time leading to gum disease that can eat away at the gums that support the teeth.
So, when you consider what can happen if you don’t floss like cavities or gum disease, flossing IS worth it! While twice a day may not seem worth it, try it at least once a day before bed and increase to twice a day as needed. It can be difficult to develop a routine at first, but over time it gets easier! What is important is that you find something that is right for you and your lifestyle. With this being said, if you like traditional floss and you will keep up with it, go with that or if you are someone who thinks they may do better by sticking with floss picks, try those! The key is to start with a small goal and increase the days with the end goal flossing 7 days straight for two weeks for it to become a habit. You can first try flossing for 4 days in a row for one week and then add a day each week after that until you reach 7 days.
Questions?
Flossing is worth it! More importantly, if you don’t think flossing twice a day is worth it, you should make sure you at least try to floss once a day before bedtime because this can help to prevent cavities or gum disease! If you have any questions regarding proper floss technique or need recommendations for floss//floss picks, please contact Carlyle Dental and we would be happy to help answer any questions that you may have!