At Balboa Victory Dental Office, we take pride in keeping the smiles of our Encino patients clean and healthy. There is a lot we can do in our general dentistry practice to keep your teeth clean, but even visiting twice a year as prescribed adds up to a lot of time in between. The fact of the matter is, most of the responsibility for your oral hygiene rests squarely upon your own shoulders. While most people take the time to brush their teeth every day, what about flossing?
Flossing is a vital piece of your dental health. By cleaning the spaces in between your teeth and below the gum line, it helps to prevent plaque buildup and removes bits of food trapped in these tight places. By flossing, you reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease. Flossing also helps keep you from having bad breath. While your dentist will typically enact a thorough flossing during routine cleaning, you should be regularly flossing on your own on a weekly or even daily basis.
Despite its importance, flossing is not as widely practiced as brushing. This may be for several reasons. The first time you attempt to floss, your gums may bleed, you may experience a little bit of pain, and you may find it awkward to try and manipulate a strand of dental floss between your teeth as you hold it. These are all things that can improve with practice, so don’t give up after just one try! As you continue to floss, you’ll get better at it and your gums will bleed less as they grow to be accustomed to the activity. Eventually flossing will become as natural to you as brushing your teeth.
Encino’s Balboa Victory Dental Office is here to help you keep your mouth healthy. You can help us by flossing on a regular basis. If you have any questions about your dental health, or would like to seek the services of an experienced dentist, don’t hesitate to contact us today!
