We’ve seen them all—flossing devotees, flossing doubters, flossing drop-outs, and even flossing haters. Here at our Williamsburg dental practice, we treat patients from Williamsburg to Norge and everywhere in between, and flossing habits vary just as much as the neighborhoods do.
Maybe you already have a great brushing routine (hint: twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste), but your flossing game is weak. Or perhaps you just don’t love the feeling of waxy string between your teeth. We get it.
Flossing might not be your favorite part of the routine, but the evidence is clear: it's an important habit for both your oral and overall health.
Yes, flossing is an essential part of a healthy oral hygiene routine, not an optional extra. Brushing alone only cleans the wide, flat surfaces of your teeth. Flossing reaches the tight spaces between them, removing plaque and food particles before they turn into cavities or gum disease. Dentists recommend flossing once a day, and skipping it regularly raises your risk of both.
If you think about it, brushing your teeth only polishes the wide, flat sections of your teeth that you can see. Without flossing, the inside edges of your teeth never really get a good scrubbing. Think of floss as a way to remove plaque and food particles from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Besides that minty-fresh feeling of a freshly flossed smile, regular flossing comes with real health benefits.
For one, flossing helps to prevent cavities. Left alone, plaque and food between the teeth can release acid that slowly breaks down your enamel. Flossing also prevents gingivitis, which shows up as swollen, irritated gums that bleed easily. If you’ve ever wondered why your dental hygienist knows you don’t floss, your bleeding gums are probably giving you away.
If gingivitis goes unaddressed, it can progress into gum disease—a serious condition that also affects the heart and cardiovascular system. Our general dentistry team can catch these issues early during a routine checkup, so better to floss now than deal with gum disease later.
There are several different theories about the best time to floss, but it’s more important that you build a consistent habit than nail the exact order. Try to find a time that works best for you. Not a morning person? Embrace a nighttime flossing routine.
Alternatively, maybe flossing right after you brush your teeth in the morning gives you the sense of accomplishment you need to start your day. Whether you’re a morning flosser or an evening flosser, a before-brushing flosser or an after-brushing flosser, the essential thing is that you’re a flosser at all.
Most dentists recommend flossing once a day. Consistency matters more than timing, so pick a slot in your routine you'll actually stick with.
Most dentists agree that traditional dental floss does the best job cleaning between teeth and preventing cavities and disease. Not a fan of plain string floss? Luckily, there are plenty of safe alternatives to the standard white, minty dental floss you’ll find at our office. Many patients love easy-to-hold, disposable flossers, which make it simpler to maneuver into tight spaces. You'll also find plenty of flavors beyond mint to make the habit more enjoyable.
For anyone who struggles to reach their back teeth or handle a strand of floss, a water pick can be a helpful alternative. Still, traditional floss remains your best and most effective option. If you’re not sure which is right for your dental health, it’s always a good idea to ask your dentist. Your dentist can provide a recommendation tailored to your specific needs.
When was the last time you stopped by for a visit? We recommend scheduling a dental exam twice a year for optimal oral health.
If you’re a new patient looking for a dentist in the Williamsburg, VA area, we’d love to meet you.
We hear some version of this pretty regularly at Norge Dental Center. A patient gets settled in the chair and, before we’ve even had a chance to take a look, says, “I’m sorry, I know my teeth are a mess,” or, “Please don’t judge me, I haven’t been to the dentist in years.”Sometimes they laugh when they say it, but we can usually tell they’re genuinely embarrassed. They may have put off making the appointment because of it, and by the time they finally come in, they’ve already imagined all the things we might say about their teeth.Here’s what we wish those patients knew before they ever walked through our doors: you don’t need to apologize to us.
Read MoreIt’s hard to believe it’s already back to school time! Backpacks are packed, lunches are being made, and families are getting back into their school year routines.We know how busy this time of year can be. Between school, homework, sports, activities, and everything else on the calendar, dental care may not always be at the top of the list.At Norge Dental Center, we want to help make keeping your family’s smiles healthy a little easier. Here are a few simple dental tips to keep in mind as everyone heads back to school.
Read MoreBrush and floss regularly but still getting cavities? Learn about dry mouth, snacking, acidic drinks, genetics, grinding, and other hidden cavity risks.
Read MoreWhether you’re new to the Williamsburg area, or new to the Norge Dental family… we welcome you to a new dental experience. We are so thankful you are here.
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