If you floss – and you SHOULD at least twice daily when you brush your teeth – you no doubt have seen flossing sticks in the supermarket aisle where you buy your regular dental floss. You may have wondered who buys those things, and are they as good (or better) than flossing with regular dental floss. Who better to answer these questions than your family dentist.
If you shop for dental floss and even ponder this question, that’s great – because that probably means you floss your teeth. We applaud you for that! Flossing your teeth is key to ensuring the positive health of your teeth and your gums.
When shopping for dental floss, you might have noticed a wide assortment of flossing devices in that same aisle. Plastic dental flossers, dental picks, dental sticks, flossing sticks – too many to list. If you research online the positives and negatives of these devices, you will find enough people are for them as are against them. So what should you do? Talk to your family dentist of course. He is most familiar with your teeth and gums, can help you decide on the right dental flossing product, and can help you define a dental care routine that works best for you.
The American Dental Association says that as long as the dental floss or the dental flossing tool displays the ADA Seal of Acceptance and is used according to the package instructions at least daily and consistently, it doesn’t much matter which flossing product you use.
If you have large hands, a smaller sized mouth, or small spaces between the teeth in the rear of your mouth, you might find flossing sticks to be quite helpful, particularly in flossing your teeth located at the rear of your mouth. The point is to use the dental flossing product that works best for you and your teeth, and makes it easiest for you to get the job done consistently, completely, everyday.
Flossing your teeth is so very important. It helps remove plaque and bacteria that gets trapped between and around your teeth; bacteria that can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Brushing your teeth alone is simply not enough. The combination of brushing and flossing is key to ensuring healthy teeth and gums.
If you have questions on brushing your teeth, flossing your teeth, or choosing the right flossing product, talk to your family dentist. He is most familiar with your teeth and gums and can help you decide on the right flossing product. Dr. Joseph Majka is a family dentist located in Valparaiso, Indiana. Dr. Majka offers gentle, effective dentistry for the entire family Call Dr. Majka for an appointment today at (219) 464-7191.