Floss like a Boss

We always hear about flossing every time we visit the dentist. Most of the time they’d ask, “Have you been flossing regularly?” “You’re bleeding because you don’t floss”, they’d always say. For a lot of patients, flossing has always been a very hard task to accomplish. In fact, a recent survey conducted last June revealed that 27% of us Americans are fibbing about flossing to our dentists! And more than a third would rather partake in enjoyable activities like doing the dishes, listening to a screaming kid on an airplane, or sitting in traffic than regularly scrape between our teeth. Which makes us think, is flossing really that terrible?

The Right Time to Floss

One spokesman for the American Dental Association told the Times that it’s preferable to floss first. Why? People will be less likely to skip flossing than if they wait until after brushing. On the other hand, the Distinguished Service Professor and Chair of Periodontics and Endodontics in the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Buffalo, Sebastian Ciancio, told Today.com that flossing either before or after brushing does not make any difference in the efficacy. Basically, as long as you floss at least once a day every day, you’re going to minimize the nasty bacteria clinging to your teeth. Come on, taking two minutes of your time to floss every day is not that complicated, so you might as well do it for the sake of your oral health.

Benefits of Flossing

The benefits of flossing are indefinite, but they sure are real. We all know the benefits of brushing our teeth, but there is one setback: A toothbrush's bristles can't adequately clean between the teeth or under the gums. This is where flossing comes in, as it can remove plaque from those tight spaces. If you’re too lazy to floss, expect plaque build-up from now on, which can lead to cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease could lead to more complex problems like heart disease, diabetes and a high body mass index. Now would you want that?

To get a total smile makeover, the work has to start with you first. The next step is to find a trusted and friendly dentist who is very willing to help you achieve a whiter teeth and a better oral health overall. For cosmetic dentistry and other dental services, seek the help of Dr. DeFinnis. Visit http://wynnewooddentalarts.com/ for more details. Happy flossing!