Most people tend to brush their teeth at least twice a day, which is a good thing to do. But, did you know that this is only a small part of the recommended at-home oral hygiene routine? Well, apart from brushing, you need to make sure that you floss at least once every day.
The Canadian Dental Association encourages Canadians to floss every day to maintain good oral health. Unfortunately, a lot of people haven’t embraced the idea of flossing since there are a lot of misconceptions about it.
Believing some of these myths can put your overall dental health at risk. The following is a breakdown of some of the common myths about flossing that you need to know.
Myth #1: You Only Need to Floss When Food particles are Caught between Your Teeth
Although removing food particles between your teeth is one of the primary benefits of flossing, this is not its only purpose. Flossing helps to eliminate the bacteria and plaque that can otherwise hide between your teeth leading to various oral complications.
By flossing at least once every day, you help protect your natural teeth and gums from these bacteria and plaque that may release harmful acids onto your gums and teeth surface causing a wide range of oral health issues.
Myth #2: Flossing Hurts
If flossing causes pain, then dentists wouldn’t be recommending it. Flossing isn’t painful at all and doesn’t cause any harm to your gums. Although you may feel slightly uncomfortable during the first few days, you get used to the feeling once you start flossing daily. If you notice that your gums are bleeding when flossing, be sure to consult your dentist since it could be a sign of a different oral disease.
Myth #3: Flossing Is Difficult
The truth is that flossing is much easier than you can imagine. If you have any doubts about how to do it right, make sure that you talk to your dentist Laval professional who will teach you basic flossing techniques.
If you notice that you struggle to floss the traditional way, don’t be afraid to use a floss holder. A floss holder is a Y-shaped device that has a small piece of floss between its two prongs. Many people out there find a floss holder easier to manage since they can be used with one hand.
Myth #4: You Can’t Floss If You Have Braces
Who said that you shouldn’t floss if you are wearing braces? In fact, the only way of ensuring that you achieve better results when wearing braces is by sticking to your routine oral care schedule. Sometimes, it may be a little bit harder to floss if you have braces, but it is still necessary. If you don’t floss every day, your gums can easily become infected and inflamed.
Myth #5: Flossing Is Unnecessary If You Use Mouthwash
Another big misconception about flossing is that you don’t need to do it if you use mouthwash. While the use of mouthwash plays a critical role in eliminating plaque and bacteria, it is only useful in cleaning the teeth surface. However, mouthwash can’t remove the plaque stuck in between your teeth. Therefore, you should never substitute flossing with a mouthwash.
Myth #6: Children are Too Young to Floss
Well, this is like saying that kids are too young to brush. Before you start to believe such misconceptions, you need to remember the fact that your child can develop cavities, just like you. If your kids are younger than ten years old, they may find it quite difficult to floss on their own, so you should always help them.
Start encouraging your little ones to brush and floss as early as possible to keep their teeth healthy. In fact, if they develop good oral care habits from an early age, they are more likely to keep good oral care habits in the future when they become adults.
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