Dr. Kamy Noruzi and our dental team all recommend that you brush and floss your teeth twice a day to prevent oral diseases such as gum disease. Flossing immediately after brushing is the most effective way to clean between teeth. If plaque and residual food particles are not removed daily, they could harden into tartar at the gumline. If this happens, it greatly increases your chances of developing gum disease.
Gum disease begins as gingivitis. Most people with this level of gum disease notice that their gums bleed easily when brushing and flossing and they also notice chronic bad breath. In many cases, the gums might also look red or inflamed. Proper flossing will help prevent or reduce this.
It’s worth remembering that an effective flossing technique is more than just moving the strand back and forth between your teeth. An ideal flossing technique starts by wrapping excess floss around your middle fingers. Then, firmly grip a small section of floss between your thumb and index fingers. Work the floss around your teeth in a U-shape and gently clear the space between the teeth and your gumline. Be sure to also floss behind your back teeth.
Once you are done brushing and flossing, you can vigorously rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash. While antiseptic mouthwash does help remove previously loosened food particles and kill bacteria, it cannot replace flossing.
If you have concerns about your flossing technique or about gum disease in Geneva, Illinois, you can always call Fox River Periodontics, PC at 630-232-7400 to seek advice or treatment.