Most people are aware of the benefits of brushing their teeth, but flossing is often overlooked. We strongly recommend flossing to our patients as it is an effective means of cleaning the mouth and preventing plaque formation.
What exactly is flossing?
Flossing is a cleaning technique that involves threading dental floss through gaps between the teeth and along the gum line. The aim of flossing is to clean the mouth and remove food debris and bacteria. This helps to prevent plaque formation and therefore has major benefits for your oral health. Plaque is a sticky film that appears on the teeth and gums. It is made from bacteria, leftover food debris and saliva and contributes to decay and gum disease.
Flossing is really important because it cleans parts of the mouth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. You can’t fit a toothbrush in the gaps between your teeth, but you can fit floss through and this ensures a much deeper and more thorough clean.
How should I floss?
When you are flossing, cut a fairly long piece of tape and gently pass it through the gaps between your teeth. Use a new piece of floss for every tooth and avoid pulling at the tape. If you tug at the floss you might cause damage to your gums, so be gentle.
It’s advisable to floss between all your teeth and also to clean the gum line.
Is it normal for the gums to bleed?
If your gums start to bleed when you floss, it may be a sign of gum disease, especially if you are used to flossing and floss on a regular basis. If you’ve never flossed before, your gums might bleed and feel slightly sore the first couple of times you do it. This is completely normal but if bleeding persists, we recommend making an appointment with your dentist.
If you’re unsure about flossing, would like tips on flossing technique or recommendations about which kind of dental floss to buy, our dental team will be happy to help.
Tags: City of Leeds Dentist Flossing, Dental hygiene Leeds, Dental hygienist Leeds, flossing and brushing Leeds
