Archive for the ‘Dental Care’ Category

Flossing: Vital Dental Hygiene

posted by valis101 12:56 PM
Saturday, July 4, 2009

Dental Flossing

There are a number of specialty flossing products out there, from the traditional waxed tape to special picks and travel devices, all with various colors, flavors, and convenient packagings, but despite the proliferation of floss, a relatively small amount of people develop effective flossing regimens. You’ve probably heard your dentist recommend a regular course of flossing, or perhaps you have a friend or relative who seems particularly fanatical about the activity. There is a fairly common perception hat flossing is a “supplemental” dental hygiene component, one that isn’t entirely necessary and that most people will do fine without. But this is very rarely the case. Flossing is an immensely important part of any dental hygiene regimen, and ignoring it is liable to lead to a host of problems later on in life.

Jollyville Dental in Austin Tx recommends a consistent flossing schedule as dictated by a patient’s personal dental professional. Whether you’re brushing in Texas or Alaska, with techniques and instruments provided by a technician or bought at a supermarket, whether you keep regular dental appointments or only make a visit for specific problems, the need for flossing is the same. Everybody is up to speed on the idea that reliable brushing after meals and before bed is an ideal way to remove cavity-causing plaque and stimulate the gums, it’s not quite as common knowledge that brushing doesn’t cover all the surface area of the teeth. Many brushes are marketed to consumers as being capable of reaching all the nooks and crannies of the enamel, but typically, brushing can be relied upon to take care of around sixty percent of the surface area. That leaves slightly less than half of the surface area of your teeth unaddressed, leaving them vulnerable to cavities and other problems as the result of prolonged build-up.

Failing to floss can also result in gingivitis, an unpleasant gum disease which can lead to a receding gum line, possible need for cosmetic gum surgery, and cause structural problems with the jaw. What’s more, the bacteria and other substances that are left behind are ingested over time, and can lead to infections and other seemingly unrelated problems in other parts of the body. There are some very strong reasons to consider a regular flossing regimen, and not much rationale to prevent the incorporation of this important activity into your daily dental routine. Some people are flummoxed by the time commitment that flossing is sometimes perceived to require, but a floss should take no longer than 2 – 3 minutes; hardly a tax on before-bed preparations. And though slight bleeding can occur for some new floss users, this typically indicates that the gums have not been properly stimulated, and tends to curtail after the introduction of a regular routine.

Consider the inclusion of flossing and discover how this powerful preventive dental hygiene component can work wonders for your smile and overall physical health. With just a few extra minutes each day, you can enjoy a truly clean mouth, and teeth that will reward you with great dental checkups.

For an Austin Dentist:
Jollyville Dental Professionals
11672 Jollyville Rd
Austin, TX 78759-3935
(512) 918-0005