The Marlborough Dental Centre sometimes sounds very much like a confessional booth from church. Right when the dental hygienist walks into the dental office, patients often confess,” I haven’t been flossing.” It’s one of the most neglected oral routines in history of patients; however, Dr. Michael Popp can’t stress enough the importance of flossing your teeth.
Eating, it’s essential to stay alive! Your teeth are the first step in breaking down food so your body can have the nutrition and fuel it needs to survive. No matter what you eat food particles can make their way into the spaces between teeth, an area that comprises 33% of the surface of your teeth. If the tiny food particles aren’t removed, they will begin to eat away at your teeth and can be the gateway for dental problems. Armed with information, why do some people still not floss?
There are multiple reasons and excuses that you may use to justify not flossing which include:
- Don’t have the time
- Teeth are too tight for floss to be effective
- No motor skills
- Gums bleed and hurt
If you read the list out loud, you probably realize how silly most of them sound. Ideally, flossing after meals is recommended; however, it’s not absolutely critical you floss every day, but it’s important to clean between your teeth routinely. There are several types of floss on the market that will effectively clean the area between teeth no matter how closely place they are. If you have weak hand-eye coordination, you can use floss that has handles on them which will give you a better grip.
If the reason you don’t floss is because your gums begin to bleed or if they hurt, is a major sign that you NEED to begin flossing routinely. Once you take the plunge and start flossing routinely, after a short while your gums will no longer hurt or bleed.
Our dental hygienists will give you a tutorial on flossing techniques after your next teeth cleaning. Book an appointment with Dr. Michael Popp at the Marlborough Dental Centre in NE Calgary today at 403-248-2066.
