When it comes to oral hygiene, most people overlook flossing as the less important partner of brushing, but flossing is actually really important, especially if you want to keep your pearly whites looking bright and healthy. Flossing should never be a substitute for brushing; rather, you should brush and floss together to keep dental disease at bay and your smile looking radiant and gorgeous.

Why is flossing so important?

Flossing is essential for good oral health because it covers areas that you can’t reach properly with a toothbrush. When you brush, you clean the surfaces of the teeth, but you can’t fit a toothbrush head into the cracks between your teeth and it can be difficult to angle your brush to clean the gum line effectively. This is where flossing comes into play; with dental floss, you can remove plaque, bacteria and left over bits of food from the spaces between your teeth and the areas where your teeth meet your gums, which helps to reduce the risk of decay and gum disease.

Flossing tips

Flossing is easy, but it can take some getting used to. If you’ve not flossed before, be patient, as you will get the hang of it. Hold a piece of floss between your thumb and fingers and then gently guide it through the gaps between your teeth; use a new piece of floss for every tooth and never pull at the tape, as this could hurt your gums.

Many people ask about bleeding when flossing. Although it is common for the gums to bleed when you first start flossing or when you have not flossed for a long time, it is not normal for the gums to bleed on a regular basis and if you experience frequent bleeding when you floss, or you notice blood when you clean your teeth, we advise you to call and make an appointment. Bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease and it best to rule that out as quickly as possible.