Not flossing your teeth every day? Find out why you should start.

When was the last time you flossed your teeth? Perhaps you are someone who brushes their teeth without fail but when it comes to flossing you just don’t feel like pulling out that string and getting to work. We don’t know why flossing is something a lot of people fail to do, but our Findlay, OH, dentist Dr. Krystal DeClerck doesn’t want to see anyone fall victim to dental problems because they aren’t flossing.

So, why is flossing so important?

You’ve brushed your teeth, so why do you need to floss, too? Doesn’t that seem like overkill? Absolutely not. While a toothbrush is great for cleaning the back and front surfaces of your teeth, they aren’t able to get between teeth.

Therefore, if you don’t floss you are actually leaving about 1/3 of your tooth surfaces untouched. If you choose not to floss, plaque will quickly harden into tartar (which only our Findlay, OH, family dentist and her team can remove with special tools). Eventually, tartar and plaque will irritate the gums and wear away enamel between teeth. This results in cavities and gingivitis.

Ways to Make Flossing Easier

If you know that traditional floss isn’t getting you to actually floss your teeth, there are a ton of options on the market now that make it easier and hassle-free to floss.

Opt for a quick single-use floss pick, which you can use on the go. Or ditch the flossing thread in any form and choose an oral irrigation device, which uses water to flush away plaque, food and bacteria from between teeth. Oral irrigation may even make it easier to clean around braces or fixed bridges.

DeClerck Family Dental in Findlay, OH, is currently closed due to the Coronavirus. If you are dealing with a true dental emergency, such as severe bleeding or a knocked-out tooth, please call your local emergency room for care. Of course, once this is over, we are happy to schedule cleanings and routine appointments again. Call us at (419) 422-8972.