Brushing vs. Flossing

All of us know that brushing and flossing are essential to keep our teeth and gums healthy. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Furthermore, ADA suggests that you floss your teeth at least once a day to keep dental issues at bay. However, if ever asked to choose between brushing and flossing, what will you choose? 

Brushing vs. Flossing

At Complete Dental Health LLC, Albany, we always recommend both brushing and flossing to take care of your oral health. Combining both helps remove the food debris and plaque trapped on your teeth. By bruising and flossing, the plaque that is trapped on the surface, between the teeth and beneath the gum line can be removed, thus preventing tooth decay and gum disease. 

However, if asked to choose only one, we suggest flossing as it is more critical and sufficient if done correctly. Brushing can remove food particles and plaque only from the teeth's surface. On the other hand, flossing helps remove plaque from areas between the teeth and beneath the gums where a toothbrush can't reach. And these places are the spaces where the most destructive microorganisms live in the mouth. Any failure to eradicate these bacteria can cause several dental problems, including tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

How To Floss The Correct Way?

To get the best results from flossing, it is crucial to do it correctly and properly. 

• Take approximately 18 inches of floss and wind the major portion of the floss around one of your middle fingers. Wind the leftover floss around the middle finger of the other hand. 
• Keep the floss firmly between the thumbs and forefingers.
• Glide the floss using a rubbing movement between your teeth.
• As the dental floss approaches the gum line, bend it into a C shape against a tooth. Guide it gently into the area between your gum and the tooth.
• Grasp the floss firmly against the tooth and rub its sides, passing the floss away from the gum with upward and downward movements. Repeat the same for all the other teeth as well.

While flossing between the teeth, ensure that the process is not painful. Flossing too hard could cause damage to the gum and the tissue between your teeth. If you floss too gently, it might not be helpful to get the food and plaque out. Though you may feel some discomfort when you first start flossing, this will ease within a week or two. If your pain continues even after a few weeks, talk to your dentist.

Why Is Flossing Essential?

As per the American Dental Association, only 16% of American adults floss every day. This might be the reason why almost 50% of American adults have gum disease. Flossing every day can benefit our body in many ways; it can help prevent gum disease, minimize bad breath, reduce the risk of heart disease, control diabetes, etc.

Brush and floss the teeth regularly, eat a healthy diet, and consult your dentist at Complete Dental Health LLC, Albany, for dental checkups. Call us at (541) 928-6622 or schedule an appointment online.