The “Flossing Thing”

By Richard Walicki

Here is an interesting exchange I had with a patient not too long ago. I’m getting ready to start a cleaning after completing my examination. His gums are red (he has gingivitis), there is plaque visible, and I just know those gums will bleed when I start to clean them. I’d like to help him get this under control, but I suspect he doesn’t floss, so I ask “Do you floss?”

His answer: “Whenever I need to.”

I’m thinking: “That would be, like, EVERY DAY.” But instead I ask: “How often is that?”

He replies: “Whenever food becomes noticeably stuck between my teeth.”

I’m actually detecting just a little annoyance now, and then he says: “Yeah, every dentist I have ever been to mentions the flossing thing.”

Well, I suppose I could talk about his favorite color, or maybe something equally inane, like the weather — but somehow the ‘flossing thing’ seemed appropriate. And then it occurred to me, maybe that IS “flossing” for this guy. And how many others, I wondered?

Therefore, in my quest to help rid the world of gingivitis and periodontal disease, (which just may be the shared goal of “every other dentist” who has recommended flossing) I’d like to clarify a few points about what it is and what it isn’t. While floss is unquestionably effective at removing food particles from between your teeth, just picking out the occasional chunk of steak from between your teeth doesn’t classify as “flossing.”

Flossing involves taking a piece of floss – say, about eighteen inches or so – grasping it between your thumb and index finger (just a few inches apart), then holding it in a “C” shape against the side of your tooth. Pre-threaded flossers are just fine in my opinion. Use whatever you are most comfortable with and whatever will get you to floss regularly. Rub the floss up and down the sides of every tooth. You actually want to slide the floss under the gum line. This cleans out areas your toothbrush cannot effectively reach.

Imagine not cleaning some parts of your teeth – ever. Or maybe, you just clean some teeth and not others. Do you think the unclean teeth might become more subject to tooth decay? If you answered “Yes!” then you would be right. This is exactly what occurs when you don’t floss. The parts of the teeth that are in contact with each other never get brushed. It’s not physically possible. So, a sizeable portion of all the fillings I end up having to place for patients are between the teeth. This is so easily helped . . . floss!

If you are just beginning to floss, you can expect your gums to bleed. Don’t let this ‘freak you out.’ A number of patients have said to me over the years “I tried flossing but it made my gums bleed, so I quit.” No. Bacteria, gingivitis, and nutritional deficiencies made your gums bleed. Flossing will help. You just need to stick with it until you notice less and less bleeding.

It is important to have your teeth and gums examined regularly. While gingivitis and periodontal disease are bad enough, there are a few even more serious conditions that could contribute to bleeding gums.

I actually could go on for quite a while about the many benefits to your overall health that flossing brings, but I’ll spare you for now. Or shall we just talk about the weather?

Dr. Richard Walicki is a Philadelphia dentist known for consistently achieving great results with his patients. How can YOU enjoy true dental wellness with nearly any dental professional? Take this short quiz and then claim his free newsletter, available here => Take the ToothWiz Blog Quiz!

Why Regular Visits To The Dentist Are Good For Your Health

Maintaining a beautiful smile is important to most people. Visiting a dentist will help maintain a beautiful smile, however, there are many more reasons why you need to maintain regular dental visits. Many people do not realize how important it is to go to the dentist regularly. However, it is important to know why you should go to the dentist regularly, particularly for the purpose of maintaining optimal health.

Many dentists and dental professionals recommend visiting the dentist twice a year for a check-up and dental cleaning. If you have not been to the dentist within the last 6 months, it is generally recommended that you go to a dentist for a cleaning and examination. The main reason for going to a dentist on a regular basis is to keep your teeth and gums clean and in good health with a deep cleaning. A dentist has the knowledge and tools to remove plaque and tartar. The dentist can clean under the gums and around the tooth to get rid of debris that the regular tooth brush can’t reach, which can eventually result in infection or inflammation of the gums.

Because Most dental problems do not become visible or painful until they have become quite serious, it is beneficial to see a dentist regularly to catch any developing problems such as a cavity. If a cavity is caught early enough, you will like just need a filling and not a root canal. Regular dental visits can help to keep your teeth in good health. At the dentists’ office, there is not just a physical examination that takes place, but also X-Rays can be conducted. The dentist can identify health risks and resolve the problem before it progresses into something much more serious. In addition, the dentist can help to identify whether you may need braces, dentures, or a mouth guard to prevent grinding of the teeth. In addition, the dentist will identify if you are in need of a particular dental procedure.

When you maintain regular dental visits, you will prevent the development of serious infections. An infection can eventually spread to your bloodstream which may result in a condition called septicemia. Septicemia is blood poisoning that can be caused by bacteria or their toxins. Early detection of an infection such as septicemia can prevent serious health problems and save you money in the long run. In addition, dentists are able to potentially assist in the identification of such conditions as oral cancer which can be treated effectively when caught early. Periodontal disease is another serious condition that can be effectively treated if caught early. Periodontal disease is a disease that affects the teeth, specifically the bone and gums around the teeth. Inflammation and infection will begin around the gum, which is known as gingivitis and then progress to destroy the gum and bone tissues that are securing the teeth.

The purpose of dental visits is for keeping your teeth and gums in good shape. When you maintain regular visits to the dentist, you will be better able to help maintain both good oral and physical health because there is relationship between your oral health and your overall health. Taking proper care of your mouth is an important part of taking care of your whole body.

An edmonton dentist and general practitioner providing professional cosmetic dentistry edmonton services such as dental implants and tooth whitening.