It might sound like a broken record for us to tell you that brushing and flossing your teeth is the foundation of a healthy mouth, but it’s true––and it’s often neglected. In this blog, we’re going to look at why these two tasks are necessary for a healthy smile.
Brushing can’t remove everything alone
Flossing helps to remove plaque and food from between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. Why not try it out and see just how much remains in your mouth after your brush! We know, it’s kinda gross. That’s what makes flossing an important part of your daily oral health routine.
How often should I brush and floss?
We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily (such as when you wake up and go to sleep) with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is proven to be a safe and effective way to maintain the strength of your enamel and prevent both cavities and tooth sensitivity. We recommend flossing at least once daily, such as right before bed, and follow your flossing with a good mouth rinse––either with water or mouthwash.
What is the best technique for flossing?
To get the best flossing, start with the best floss. Avoid toothpicks or flossing sticks for your daily floss, they are good to have in your purse or pocket, but not effective for daily use. To get started with healthy flossing, start with these techniques:
- Take a long string of floss and wrap it around your two index fingers.
- For each little gap, unwind a new piece of floss.
- Ensure you take care to get all-around each tooth.
- Start with the bottom molar and move from right to left to make sure you get each tooth and don’t skip any.
- Rinse thoroughly with water or mouthwash to complete!
Kidtown dentists can help your child floss and brush effectively.
At Kidtown, we try to help oral health be a fun adventure for your little ones. Developing a healthy relationship to oral care is essential for the health of your growing children! Help your child learn to floss and brush daily by showing them how you do it. Leading by example is a great way to make oral care a fun family activity.
Along with the Canadian Dental Association, we recommend bringing your child in for their first checkup six months after their first tooth breaks or at one year of age––whichever comes first. Read more about how Kidtown can help your child form good oral hygiene habits on our blog.
Brushing and flossing go together like pie and ice cream!
As great as toothbrushes are, they cannot do everything all on their own. Their shape is not particularly well-designed for cleaning in between teeth. When used together, brushing and flossing will prevent cavities and gingivitis by removing bacteria and debris from those tricky to reach places. If you have questions about how to add flossing into your oral care routine, talk to your favourite Saskatoon dentist at Midtown today! We can walk you through techniques to keep your mouth healthy and your smile shining.
