The Australian Dental Organization has found that 30% of Australians go to bed at night having only brushed and flossed their teeth once that day. You're in your early 20s, and you know you need to do better when it comes to dental hygiene; in fact, this is a new year resolution for you! But, you have always had apprehension about using dental floss. The feeling of floss between your teeth is strange, and what are you supposed to do if the floss breaks off and gets stuck? These tips will help you move past your dental floss fears so you start flossing day and night.
Dental floss feels strange
It is true that dental floss feels odd when you first start to use it, but those feelings have not disappeared because you did not persevere with a flossing pattern. As well as scraping plaque and food particles from the sides of your teeth, the floss stimulates the gums above. This stimulation brings increased blood flow through the gum area, and for a few weeks, you may notice slight swelling. Since the alternative is not flossing, which will increase the odds of losing your teeth to periodontal disease in the future, a little initial gum tenderness is not the worst thing in life.
Dental floss gets stuck
There is a reason why dental floss gets stuck, and it is a good thing for you to find out about it early. You cannot see the sides of your teeth, but over time, plaque grows and changes the surface of the tooth from smooth to bumpy. The plaque also eats away at the tooth enamel, leaving small pits and bumps. As the floss travels over the bumpy side of your teeth, it snags and tears. Once your teeth have reached this stage, it means it is time for them to be professionally cleaned by your local dentist. After the cleaning, your teeth have a smooth path for the floss to travel over.
Finally, in the unlikely event the floss breaks off and does get trapped between your teeth, use another piece of floss or a toothpick to try and pull it free. If you are unsuccessful, then a dentist can remove it for you. Chances are it is trapped by a cavity or an uneven surface which needs dental attention anyway. Do not fear flossing your teeth, it makes a difference to your dental health, and beautiful teeth are an item to be treasured.
