Brushing at least twice a day for two minutes each time helps keeps your teeth clean and healthy. While many patients are pretty consistent about brushing, many forget about flossing.
Is flossing really that important? The answer is yes! Flossing is just as beneficial as brushing and a vital part of maintaining great oral health.
History of Dental Floss
For as long as humans could get food stuck in our teeth, we’ve used something to get between those small spaces. In 1815, a New Orleans dentist began suggesting that patients try a thin silk thread. And in 1896, Johnson & Johnson released the first real dental floss.
Nylon replaced silk in the 1940s, which was also the era when companies developed waxed floss. Now, you can find a variety of dental flosses including water flossers, floss threaders, floss picks, and more.
Benefits of Flossing
Flossing removes the food and plaque between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Cavities can form in these tiny spaces, so even if you brush well, you can get cavities if you don’t floss.
Floss also removes disease-causing bacteria from under the gumline. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, so flossing keeps inflammation, infection, and decay at bay.
Dental floss also removes annoying pieces of food stuck in your teeth and fights bad breath!
Preventive Dental Care at Trillium Dental
Flossing and brushing keep your teeth strong and healthy. Preventive services like cleanings and exams with Dr. White also protect your oral health.
No one wants to deal with serious dental issues like cavities or gum disease. So be sure to keep up with your at-home oral hygiene and schedule routine cleanings and checkups at Trillium Dental, your dentist in Rose City Park.
To make an appointment or ask any questions about our comprehensive dental services, please contact our Portland dental office today!