The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice each day and flossing at least once. This basic daily oral hygiene regimen is designed to remove food particles, sugar residue, and plaque before they can lead to more serious oral health problems.
Flossing the gumline and behind your rear molars each day is especially important. These areas can easily trap food particles and plaque. If they’re not cleaned each day, hardened tartar can form on your teeth. This will significantly increase your chances of suffering gum disease.
Selecting a type of dental floss that you and your family members prefer like will keep each of you encouraged to floss at least once each day. Unwaxed dental floss is basically a plain strand of monofilament or braided nylon that has not been treated with a waxy coating. While some manufactures will apply added flavors most choose to sell it plain.
Waxed dental floss is just like it’s unwaxed sister, except the special coating can help insert the dental floss into tight places. It can be especially helpful if you have tight teeth or you are struggling to floss around braces hardware. The wax can also be treated with flavor additives like mint or cinnamon. Clinically, there is no appreciable difference in effectiveness between waxed, unwaxed, flavored, or unflavored floss.
If you have a young child in your household who is still learning to floss their teeth, you might want to provide them with a floss stick. The sense of personal empowerment will help keep them encouraged to floss, while also developing good habits for later on in adulthood.
If you live in the Melrose, Massachusetts area and you have oral hygiene concerns, you can always call 781-665-5222 to schedule a dental checkup at Solomon & Wright Associates, P.C.