Brushing vs. Flossing

All of us know the importance of oral health to our general health and well-being. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it is advisable to brush our teeth for two minutes, twice a day, and floss the teeth at least once every day. But is brushing or flossing more vital? Let's have a look.

Brushing vs. Flossing

Your favorite dentist at Dental Health PC, Corvallis, OR, recommends both brushing and flossing done together to maintain optimum oral health. If food debris or bacteria gets accumulated on teeth, it will lead to plaque formation, which, when calcified, forms tartar, leading to cavities and gum disease. Following a proper oral care routine that includes brushing and flossing can help keep most dental diseases at bay by removing the accumulated tartar and bacteria.

However, if you need to choose only one, we recommend flossing if done correctly. While brushing can remove food debris and plaque only from the front and back surface of the teeth, flossing is necessary to eliminate plaque trapped between the teeth and beneath the gums in areas that can't be reached using a toothbrush. These spots are the areas where the most harmful bacteria live, and any failure to eliminate them can lead to severe dental issues like cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

The Correct Way to Floss

It is vital to do flossing in the correct and proper method to enjoy the maximum benefits of flossing. The appropriate technique to floss is explained below:

• Begin with approximately 18 inches of floss and wind its major portion around your middle fingers, leaving just one or two inches of floss to work with.
• Hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and index fingers, glide it up and down through the areas between your teeth.
• Curl the floss around each tooth's base and reach beneath the gum line to clean the area. 
• Use the unused sections of floss as you floss each tooth.
• Use the same back-and-forth movement to remove the floss from the teeth.

Thus, while flossing, ensure to floss the teeth's external surface as well as beneath the gum tissue. It is crucial to keep your teeth and gums healthy to prevent tooth decay and the risk of periodontal diseases. Thus, flossing offer numerous benefits to our oral health; some of them are mentioned below:

• prevents gum diseases - gingivitis and periodontitis
• helps control diabetes
• minimizes bad breath
• help prevent heart disease
• reduces the risk of respiratory disease

The Bottomline

We recommend everyone make brushing and flossing an indispensable part of their daily oral hygiene routine to have their teeth last their entire lifespan.

Brush and floss your teeth regularly, have a healthy diet, and visit your dentist at Dental Health PC, Corvallis, OR. Call us at (541) 757-1829 or schedule an appointment online to consult our dentist.