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Gum disease can ruin the aesthetics of your smile by eroding the gums and roots of your teeth. The cause of this disease mainly comes from the food plaque that stays for a long time in the interdental spaces. This article will explain why it is important to floss regularly to clean the roots of your teeth, and suggest tips for flossing properly.
1. Why should you floss? Is flossing good for teeth?
Brushing teeth at least twice a day is an effective way to clean teeth, remove food plaque and prevent tooth decay. However, brushing alone is not enough to completely clean teeth and prevent gum disease.
Flossing contributes to the protection of oral health because it helps remove plaque and food particles stuck between teeth. These plaques, if accumulated long enough, produce acid, which can cause tooth decay, irritate gums, and lead to problems in the roots and gums. Keeping the habit of flossing before brushing will help improve oral hygiene, specifically:
1.1. Flossing helps prevent gum disease Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious mouth infection that destroys the gums and the bones that support the teeth. Periodontitis is caused when there is too much bacteria on the tooth surface. This can be due to poor oral hygiene, including not brushing or flossing the wrong way, and forgetting to take regular tartar.
Some signs of gum disease can include:
Bad breath, bad breath; Swollen, red gums; Loose teeth; Bleeding gums. 1.2. Flossing helps remove plaque Using a toothbrush can also help remove plaque and food debris, but the bristles are difficult to get between teeth and clean this area completely. There is even a simile that says: “Each tooth has 5 surfaces, if you skip flossing, you are leaving at least 2 surfaces that are not clean.” Thus, flossing is the only tool.
In addition, you also need to keep the habit of combining flossing and daily brushing because food plaque often hardens on teeth within a short period of time. 24 - 36 hours If you floss regularly and brush your teeth right after, plaque will not harden on your teeth and be easier to remove from the oral cavity.
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2. Tips for flossing
To keep your mouth clean and free of bad breath, here are some tips to help you floss properly:
Floss regularly: Floss at least once a day, in the morning or at night before going to bed. To floss properly, break about 30 to 45 cm of thread and wrap both ends around your finger. Then thread it between teeth, wrap around each tooth in a "C" shape, and move in an up and down motion through each tooth to remove bacteria, plaque and food debris. Floss instead of toothpicks: Use dental floss instead of toothpicks to remove food particles stuck between teeth. Using a toothpick can damage your gums and lead to an infection. Don't worry if you see a little bleeding: Bleeding means that the gums are inflamed due to plaque that has accumulated for a long time and needs to be cleaned, so you do not need to worry too much. However, if bleeding persists after a few days, it could be a sign of periodontal disease, you should see your dentist for specific examination. Dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease can all be prevented through a daily pre-brushing routine. Cleaning your teeth not only helps you have a bright smile, fresh breath, but also prevents gum disease and improves overall health.
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Reference sources: webmd.com, healthline.com
