Why you should add flossing to your New Year’s resolutions
Dr. Gary Vance
| 2 min read
What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2013? Losing weight? Spending more time with family? Flossing your teeth at least once a day?
Most people don’t consider their mouths when thinking about resolutions for the New Year, but it’s an important part of your overall health. It’s smart to make flossing part of your daily oral care routine because a toothbrush can’t always reach the tiny spaces between your teeth.
When food becomes trapped in between your teeth, it can form a sticky film of decay-causing bacteria called plaque. Using floss in addition to brushing your teeth can help rid your teeth of this plaque keeping your teeth clean and reducing the chance of tooth decay.
Flossing can be easy, and even fun, if you know the proper technique. To get started:
- Break off about 18 inches of floss and wrap it around one finger on each of your hands.
- Holding the floss tightly between your two hands, guiding the floss between your teeth with your index (pointer) finger using a gentle up and down rubbing motion on the surfaces of your teeth.
- Make sure you run the floss through each of the spaces between your teeth.
- Once you’ve worked your way around your entire mouth, you’re done!
Remember to choose a brand of floss that displays the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. If you have other questions about the importance of flossing, be sure to ask your dentist during your next visit. Happy New Year!
