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What is flossing?

Flossing is the act of cleaning between your teeth with dental floss to remove food debris and plaque. Without flossing, food debris and plaque can build up between your teeth and turn into tartar. Once tartar has formed, brushing alone will not be enough to remove it.

Flossing removes plaque

Flossing removes plaque and debris from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. By flossing, you are preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

Flossing prevents cavities

Brushing your teeth twice a day is an important part of maintaining your oral health. However, flossing your teeth is just as important. In fact, not flossing can lead to cavities and dental problems. This is because flossing gets rid of plaque and food that gets stuck between the your teeth.

Flossing causes less gum inflammation

When you don’t brush and floss, you’re at risk for developing plaque buildup. Plaque, which is a combination of food, saliva, and bacteria, nestles itself between your teeth. As it eats away at your teeth, it forms a sticky film, which builds up and hardens, turning yellow or brown. Once it hardens, plaque is nearly impossible to remove with a toothbrush. Flossing, however, removes plaque before it hardens, preventing gum inflammation.

Plaque and inflammation also contribute to gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Flossing prevents bad breath

Flossing is any effective method of removing dental plaque from between the teeth. Plaque is a sticky bacteria film. Brushing only removes the plaque from the tooth’s surface, but the plaque will harden into tartar. If plaque and tartar are left on the teeth, they can cause bad breath and gum disease.

What type of floss should I use?

Flossing is most effective when the floss is able to reach and clean the spaces between your teeth.

Dental tape typically has a wider width than dental floss, which makes it ideal for cleaning the spaces between your teeth.

For general oral hygiene, you can choose either dental tape or dental floss.

How often should floss?

You should floss at least once a day. It’s especially important to floss in the evening, because that’s when gums tend to be the most irritated.

Other alternatives for

Brushing, rinsing, and chewing sugar-free gum are three ways to keep your teeth healthy. However, none of them are as effective at removing bacteria and food particles as flossing.

Flossing at home is crucial to preventing cavities between your teeth. Plaque and bacteria can build up in between teeth, causing tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing removes the bacteria and food particles from between the teeth, which prevents tooth decay and gum disease.