Our regular patients here at Margolian Dentistry know we are passionate about preventive dentistry in Oshawa. An effective preventive dental care plan can go a long way towards preventing common dental diseases like tooth decay and gum disease. A good plan helps you maintain optimal oral health more easily and is more cost-effective in the long-term. Perhaps the most important reason we strongly recommend ongoing preventive oral care is to protect your general health.
A good regular oral care routine should include brushing your teeth at least twice every day and flossing once a day. While many people will brush their teeth regularly, fewer will floss daily. Unfortunately, there are many myths about flossing, and a few are debunked below.
- Flossing is only necessary when you have something trapped between your teeth
When you brush your teeth, the toothbrush bristles cannot reach between your teeth, so these surfaces will not get cleaned unless you use dental floss. Dental plaque soon builds up between your teeth and is a sticky biofilm containing harmful bacteria. Flossing removes dental plaque from between your teeth, along with any food debris.
- You don’t need to floss if you use mouthwash
Mouthwash is useful for rinsing away loose food particles and bacteria, and some mouthwashes are antimicrobial and contain fluoride and are beneficial for oral health. While mouthwash can be a useful add-on to your oral care routine, it cannot replace flossing.
- You cannot floss while wearing braces
If you wear fixed braces, it is even more important to floss around the brackets and wires as these can easily trap plaque and food debris. It does take longer to floss with braces, but there are special tools to help with this task. If you are considering orthodontic treatment in Whitby, an alternative might be removable braces such as Invisalign. These are taken out when you need to brush and floss, so the treatment process is easier.
- Children don’t need to floss
Good oral care starts early, and as soon as a child’s teeth come into contact with each other, you will need to start flossing between them. Children need help with flossing, but this is something we can assist you with, showing you how to care for your child’s teeth until they are old enough to start flossing on their own. When the time comes, we can show your child how to brush and floss so they develop a good oral care routine right from the very start.
- If your gums bleed, you should stop flossing
If flossing makes your gums bleed, you might think you should stop to let them heal, but this is usually a sign you need to floss more frequently. Bleeding gums is a symptom of gum disease, and it is worth seeing a dentist in Ajax for a dental checkup. The sooner we can detect gum disease, the better we can treat it. The early stage, called gingivitis, is entirely reversible with the right treatment and when you follow an improved oral care routine, including daily flossing.
What if I Can’t Floss?
If you find flossing tricky or uncomfortable, ask us for help. Our dental team can work with you, showing you the correct techniques for flossing and discussing which type of floss is easiest for you to use. We can help you to floss like a professional! Also, other tools are available, which can be useful for people who cannot get on with flossing, including a Water Pik or interdental brushes. There is always a solution that will help you to floss comfortably and effectively.
