Preventative Dental Care: Why You Should Make Flossing a Habit

When we are children, our parents, educators, and health care advisors drill into us the habit of brushing our teeth thoroughly several times a day so that the dentist won’t have to drill away in our mouths.  In kindergarten, we make charts to take home and get stickers or encouraging check marks for every time we remember to brush our pearly whites.  Bubblegum flavored toothpastes and toothbrushes with beloved cartoon characters are effective marketing ploys meant to get young ones on board with brushing.  But there is often far less emphasis on one very important aspect of daily dental hygiene: flossing.

In the dental chair, when we see a buildup of plaque or tartar on a patient’s teeth, one of the first questions we ask is, “Have you been flossing regularly?”  Often the answer is an embarrassed, “no.”  Some people acknowledge that they understand the importance, but just can’t get into the practice of it, while others sometimes seem unaware of just how essential flossing is.  At Annapolis Dental Care, we’re here to take some of the mystery out of it and to encourage the routine so that you can keep your smile healthy and radiant.

  1. Prevent Gingivitis: Failing to floss can put you on a fast track towards Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums which can lead to periodontal disease – a condition that eats away at the soft tissue and bone, potentially causing tooth loss.
  2. Avoid Cavities: Cavities are created when acidic plaque begins to wear away teeth, causing toothaches, sensitivity to heat and cold, pain while biting or chewing, and visible holes.  Cut down on plaque by putting your dental floss to use.
  3. Dodge Bad Breath: While toothbrushes work wonders to clean your teeth, where they fall short is when it comes to eliminating all the food particles trapped in between your pearly whites.  Flossing allows you to easily get those wedged debris out of your teeth, helping you to avoid having rotting food lingering in your mouth and causing bad breath.

At Annapolis Dental Care, we can easily and expertly fill your cavities or restore rotting teeth or decayed gums, but for your sake, we’d rather avoid having to perform these procedures.  That’s why preventative dental treatment is essential to your oral hygiene: be sure to floss daily along with brushing, and call us today to schedule a routine cleaning.

If you have any questions about Routing Cleanings and Preventative Dental Care, please contact Annapolis Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today!

For over 20 years, Dr. Steckler and his team have been practicing comprehensive Family Dental Care. Our outstanding staff is devoted to caring for your oral situation and will ensure your dental visit is an enjoyable one, focusing on total patient comfort. We are motivated to offer cutting edge dentistry techniques and processes. Our committed staff will guide you in your pursuit of the perfect smile.

“At Dr. Steckler’s office, we understand that most patients are fearful of the dentist. Your comfort and care are our greatest concern.”

You can rest assured that you will receive the finest, personalized, attention you deserve. Utilizing the latest state of the art techniques in a gentle, caring fashion we will give you the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. We will listen to your needs and answer all your questions.

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Sources:

What are the Benefits of Flossing Teeth & Gums?

 

This entry was posted on Friday, August 3rd, 2012 at 4:49 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.