Flossing 101
Brushing your teeth twice a day is a great way of keeping your smile healthy. But while a toothbrush is effective in cleaning the exposed surfaces of a tooth, the bristles oftentimes can’t get those hard-to-reach areas between the teeth.
That’s why flossing needs to be part of your daily oral health routine, too. By skipping the floss, you may be missing up to 40 percent of the surface of your teeth! Dental floss can work hand-in-hand with your toothbrush to remove more plaque effectively.
Available in a variety of forms, the type you choose is completely up to you. You might find waxed floss easier to use between tight teeth or restorations, while unwaxed floss will spread out its fibers during use for greater tooth contact. You can also find pre-threaded floss—floss attached to a toothpick or handle—which some find easier to use.
Don’t forget—kids need to floss, too! As soon as your child has two teeth that touch, flossing should start. The sooner you add flossing into the brushing routine, the easier it will be for kids to continue this healthy oral hygiene habit as they get older.
This information is available for download as an oral health flyer.