Dentist in Fort Worth

Brushing alone isn’t enough to clean all of the plaque from the surface of your teeth. The area between your teeth (Interproximal areas) and areas below the gumline are spots where the toothbrush can’t reach very well and plaque can build up. Cavities are more likely to appear in these areas. Daily flossing and regular visits to your dentist are the only effective ways to remove this plaque.

Flossing isn’t just a way to dislodge food wedged between your teeth, as believed by many. By flossing on a daily basis, you can reduce cavities, gum disease and bad breath.  The bacterial film called plaque that forms along the gum line is removed with proper flossing.

Here’s how to properly floss your teeth.

1. Get about 12 to 18 inches of floss and hold it with both hands so that you have a couple inches of floss to use between two fingers.
2. Work the floss between teeth and the area between your teeth and gums as far as it will go.
3. Work the floss up and down about 5 times to dislodge food and plaque.
4. Floss at least once a day with emphasis being just before going to bed.
5. You can floss before or after brushing.