What is all this fuss about flossing? is that little piece of string really so important?Prevention of dental diseases is probably the most important lesson that you can learn from an early age. The two major dental diseases - decay (cavities) and gum disease (periodontitis) are both preventable! Both of these diseases are caused by bacteria that build up on tooth surfaces everyday and can be prevented by removing this bacterial deposit every day.It seems like too good a deal true... a couple of dollars and a couple of minutes per day can keep your teeth strong and healthy.We all know the need to brush our teeth daily and we teach this to very young children. We emphasize it in health education, beginning in nursery school We know brushing keeps teeth bacteria free, but too often, flossing is neglected.If you are brushing your teeth 100% effectively but not using floss, you are missing 40% of your teeth surfaces! Teeth are 3D - and you need to clean all surfaces, including those between the teeth. By neglecting the surfaces in-between your teeth, the teeth become more susceptible to decay and periodontitis, and, ultimately, compromise the health of your teeth and shorten their longevity.Another surface to be aware of is the surface along the gum line. Brush gently there and when using floss, be sure to get the floss below the gum line, wrap it around the tooth, and then pull it towards the chewing surface. The motion helps to remove the surface bacteria.To Good Health & May The Floss Be With You!
