Have you ever wondered what the symptoms of periodontal/gum disease are? They can include:
? Bad breath
? Loose teeth
? Painful, bloody gums
The bad news is that periodontal disease can begin even before any of the obvious symptoms present themselves. You could be at risk of irreparable damage to your teeth and gums if you remain undiagnosed or untreated.
The good news is you can prevent periodontal disease and all it takes is a minute of your time each day.
Time for Floss
An effective and easy tool to prevent periodontal disease is dental floss, which will help get rid of built up plaque and bacteria in between your teeth. If you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, you should be flossing daily as well.
Even if you think you brush your teeth really well, floss will clean the areas where your
toothbrush cannot reach. Food debris as well as sugars and acids from drinks get caught in the small gaps and tight spaces in between your teeth. Floss is essential for cleaning out these gaps and hard to reach spaces.
Flossing Facts
Did you know that only 40 percent of Americans floss every day according to a study by the American Dental Association? This same study showed an obvious link between regular intra-oral care and better oral health.
Many people actually lie about how frequently they floss out of fear of embarrassment and ridicule at the dental office. 27 percent of adults actually lie to their dentist about flossing according to a recent study from the American Academy of Periodontology.
Are You Flossing Correctly?
It may be confusing to know the correct and most effective way to use dental floss. The recommended length of your floss should be about 18 inches, wrapping most of it around your middle finger.
You should use about one inch of floss to clean between each pair of teeth. Carefully slide the floss between your teeth using your thumb and index finger. Be very careful when flossing your gum line to avoid cutting your gums. The whole 18 inches of floss should be used, using one inch of clean floss in between each tooth.
It only takes one minute to floss your teeth – just one minute to prevent periodontal disease. Doesn’t it seem worth it to get into a habit that is easy and beneficial to your oral health?
For more information about gum health, proper flossing technique, or to schedule a visit with our dentist in Gulfport, please contact our Gulfport MS dentist today.
