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Many people floss less often than they should, whether that be a few times a week or every once in a blue moon. Ideally, you should be flossing your teeth at least once per day as part of your oral hygiene routine for healthy teeth and gums. So, why is this important? Our dentists and dental hygienists at Trillium Dental will explain below.

PREVENTS TARTAR BUILDUP (AND CAVITIES)

Even if you brush your teeth twice per day, bacteria can still collect in the crevices between your teeth where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. If you don’t floss regularly, this bacteria turns into plaque, which then hardens into a substance called tartar. Tartar feeds on tooth enamel, creating cavities between the teeth and causing further tooth decay if it is not removed by your family dentist with a dental scaler. When you floss, you’re removing plaque before it hardens, which is an easy way to prevent dental problems like cavities and gum disease.

PREVENTS GUM DISEASE

When tartar builds up along the gum line, it eats away at the tooth enamel and infects the gum tissue, increasing your risk of developing periodontal disease. If you don’t floss your teeth on a regular basis, you may develop gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease, which is characterized by swollen, tender gums that bleed easily. Fortunately, gingivitis can be reversed with various periodontal treatments like gum lasering and gingivectomies. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry — gum disease is linked to many life-threatening health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

A BEAUTIFUL SMILE

Swollen, infected gums aren’t a pretty sight, especially if the infection has progressed to gingivitis or periodontal disease. Many patients with gum disease have receding gums, which make the teeth appear longer than normal due to the infected gums pulling away from the teeth. It is also not uncommon for people with periodontal disease to have extensive tooth decay, which causes the teeth to turn a grayish color. If you value the appearance of your pearly whites, flossing daily is essential for an attractive smile.

BOOK A DENTAL CHECKUP IN OTTAWA

At Trillium Dental, our dentists and dental hygienists emphasize the importance of flossing to all of our patients. If you are due for a teeth cleaning at your local dental clinic, contact us today or book your appointment online at one of our eight dental offices in Ottawa. We look forward to seeing you!

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For many people, oral health is an out-of-sight, out-of-mind concept — that is, until something goes wrong, such as a tooth cavity or the early signs of gum disease. As we’re sure you’ve heard many times before, prevention is key when it comes to dental problems and oral infections, which is why it’s important to practice good oral hygiene habits at home in between general dentistry appointments. Continue reading for some key tips and tricks for establishing good oral hygiene habits at home, courtesy of our family dentists and dental hygienists at Trillium Dental in Ottawa.

START A ROUTINE

People tend to slack on their oral health practices at home if they do not have a set schedule, such as a solid morning and bedtime routine. If you find yourself forgetting to brush twice per day, or if flossing is an issue, try forming a step-by-step routine to follow every single day. Not only will this help keep you accountable with regard to your oral hygiene, but it will also help you structure your days so that self-care and your overall health is a top priority. Hate flossing because your gums are sensitive or sometimes bleed? Remember that the more you floss and brush, the better your gum health will be. Too tired to brush your teeth after a long night out with friends? Don’t let yourself crawl into bed until you’ve washed your face, brushed your teeth, and flossed that sugary plaque away.

USE A TIMER

More often than not, it isn’t a lack of brushing and flossing that is the issue — it’s the thoroughness. Many people give their teeth a quick brush in the morning and at night, flossing only between the teeth that are easy to reach and swishing with mouthwash in an attempt to compensate. The key to good oral hygiene is to be mindful about how you brush and floss, not necessarily how often (twice per day is enough), so be sure to take your time and do a good job. One way to do this is to set a timer on your phone for two minutes, brushing every nook and cranny until your teeth are squeaky clean. You can also find fun hourglasses and sand timers online, which can help you stay on track with how long you’re brushing in the morning and at night.

PRIORITIZE FLOSSING

We can all relate to the frustration that comes with flossing those hard-to-reach spaces between the molars, but it’s important not to let this stop you from using dental floss at least once per day. It’s nearly impossible to keep food from finding its way into the spaces between your teeth, which is the number one cause of cavities. Trust us, cavity fillings (yes, even the pretty white tooth fillings) are far more of a pain than making an effort to floss everyday, so do yourself a favor and prioritize flossing when you establish a morning and bedtime routine by doing it every night.

SCHEDULE A TEETH CLEANING APPOINTMENT AT TRILLIUM DENTAL IN OTTAWA

Of course, there is only so much you can do at home to maintain good oral health, which is why our dentists and dental hygienists highly recommend visiting our Ottawa dental clinic twice per year for a routine dental cleaning. Contact Trillium Dental in Ottawa to schedule an appointment, or book your dental exam with us online!

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