Brushing and flossing is a crucial part of maintaining your oral health. Your Tampa dentist suggests brushing at least twice a day and flossing each time to brush to remove stuck or hidden food particles and bacteria. For many, flossing is an inconvenient, sometimes unpleasant, habit to maintain, especially when trying to get to those hard-to-reach molars or cleaning braces. If you hate flossing, water flossing may be an option you can discuss with your Tampa dentist.
Water Flossing is Best Option Between Other Flossing Options
A water flosser uses water to reach between teeth to clear out what normal floss would. The water flosser provides a targeted stream of water to the teeth and gums area to effectively clean your mouth of food, plaque, and bacteria. Many users say it is more sanitary and far easier to use, as you don’t need to watch what you are doing or reach deep into your mouth to get back molars clean. This tool is much like what your Tampa dentist uses during a cleaning to get to those hard to reach places. If you find yourself frequently bleeding when flossing, a water flosser can loosen stuck on food to prevent sore gums, a sign that your teeth have plaque build-up that could leave to cavities.
Flossing can help prevent tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. When you eat, the food that remains stuck in your gums and teeth begins to grow bacteria that eats away at the teeth, enamel, and gums. When done regularly, flossing can be effective and removing the necessary buildup on the teeth and gums, but a water flosser can help get those back teeth or particularly stuck on food to prevent plaque buildup.
A water flosser can be a great tool to keep your mouth looking and feeling its best. Ask your dentist if a water flosser can work for you, and schedule your next cleaning with us at North Pointe Dental today!
