{"id":384,"date":"2020-02-07T22:53:48","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T22:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.southridgedental.com\/blog\/?p=384"},"modified":"2020-03-10T22:54:02","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T22:54:02","slug":"denton-dentist-how-often-flossing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.southridgedental.com\/blog\/denton-dentist-how-often-flossing\/","title":{"rendered":"Flossing: How Often Should You Practice This Healthy Habit?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Smiling<\/a>There\u2019s nothing quite as relieving as finally dislodging a stuck popcorn kernel shell from between your teeth with some dental floss. But is that the only time you use it? A recent national survey found that 30% of Americans say they floss daily, just over 37% report occasional flossing, and 32% admit they never floss. With such evenly divided results, how often should you be flossing? Your Denton dentist explains just how regularly you should be practicing this healthy habit.<\/p>\n

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Isn\u2019t Brushing Enough?<\/h2>\n

You may think that you don\u2019t need to floss because you brush for two minutes twice a day. However, experts estimate that even the most thorough brushing routine can only remove about 60% of the harmful plaque and bacteria in your mouth. The rest are able to hide in spaces that toothbrush bristles simply can\u2019t reach, like between your teeth or just underneath the gumline. The only way to fully protect your smile is to clean out those spaces with dental floss or a flossing tool.<\/p>\n

How Often Should You Floss?<\/h2>\n

If you don\u2019t regularly clear out the plaque and bacteria from those hard to reach places, they\u2019ll accumulate and harden into tartar. Tartar is a tough yellowish substance that is brimming with bacteria and can only be removed by your dentist. Not only will that bacteria produce acid and cause cavities between your teeth, but it will also attack your gum tissue, which could easily result in a bacterial infection known as gum disease.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why the American Dental Association officially recommends cleaning between your teeth with floss every day. The longer that plaque and tartar are allowed to collect between your teeth and underneath your gumline, the more damage they can do. Flossing daily is the best way to lower your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.<\/p>\n

How Can You Make Flossing A Habit?<\/h2>\n

Even though it\u2019s an important part of protecting our smile and our overall health, flossing isn\u2019t a very popular pastime. Whether you\u2019re avoiding it or simply forgetting about it, it can be easy to skip this part of your dental care routine. To make flossing a habit, try some of these tips:<\/p>\n