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Maintaining excellent oral hygiene necessitates the development of various good oral care practices that, when combined, completely clean the multiple places of the mouth where germs and plaque can accumulate, potentially leading to tartar, cavities, and other major concerns. Flossing, or cleaning between the teeth and under the gumline, is one of the most important of these behaviors. 4th and Morris Dentistry in Renton, WA, offers the best dental treatments and procedures to achieve the best results.

Why Is Flossing Necessary?

Interdental cleaning is an essential component of proper oral hygiene. Using dental floss daily is an efficient technique to remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles that become caught between the teeth. But did you know that flossing can help you avoid tartar, which is a hardened, yellow deposit that coats your teeth and gums? When plaque is not eliminated from the teeth by brushing and flossing, the bacterial film calcifies and persists on the teeth and gum line. It can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if left untreated. Unfortunately, tartar can only be eliminated with dental instruments or an ultrasonic scale device by your dentist.

What Is Tartar?

You will always have some germs in your mouth, no matter how well you care for your teeth. This small amount of bacteria combine with food and sugar to build plaque. At this point, you have one last chance to save your teeth and gums at home.

If you do not floss and then brush efficiently and consistently, the plaque hardens and forms tartar. Tartar forms behind the gum line. It has rough edges and is porous, which irritates the gums, causing them to recede and, eventually, gum disease. Tartar must be removed with specific instruments at our office.

How Does Flossing Help to Prevent Tartar Buildup?

Flossing is the greatest approach to start your dental hygiene practice. Because the toothbrush cannot reach below the gum line, flossing is the only technique to remove plaque. We recommend the floss images that resemble a bent letter Y. This improves one-handed mobility. Keep in mind to walk between each crack. One bad habit that many people have is simply touching the floss on one side of the tooth when it's in place.

Make sure to move slowly up and down into both sides of the gum pocket. Brush for two minutes with an electric brush after that. Stop rinsing with water; it washes fluoride out of your mouth. Instead, use alcohol-free mouthwash to rinse.

Call us at (425) 226-6227 or schedule an appointment online for the best dental care and experience.