Dental floss; The secret to fresh breath oral health, by Aisha Musa Auyo
Do you know about dental floss? Please don’t tell me no.
I was shocked when I conducted an oral poll about dental floss and found out that only about 10 percent of people know about it, and only about 4 percent practice it. This may be part of the reason why dentists are making outrageous money. This may be part of the reason why people get irritated while listening to you. This may be part of the reason why your partner doesn’t like kissing you. Yes.🤭
According to Cambridge Dictionary, flossing is the practice of cleaning between your teeth using dental floss. It is also stated that regular flossing is essential for healthy gums.
Flossing is an important oral hygiene habit. It is a habit that helps clean and dislodge food stuck between your teeth, which reduces the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth. Plaque is a sticky film (that looks like cream) that builds up on the teeth and causes gum diseases, bad breath, and tooth decay if not well managed.
Even though a lot of people brush their teeth daily, some even do it twice daily, yet not everyone flosses their teeth. Flossing should be as regular as the brushing. Brushing can never do the function of flossing. Regardless of how expensive your toothpaste and toothbrush cost, flossing is vital.
So now that you know, I need to tell you that it’s not about simply flossing. It is important to do it correctly or else you will be damaging your teeth and gums. Brushing two times daily for at least two minutes each time is the first step in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. But even the best toothbrush can’t fully cleanse the spaces between your teeth. That’s why the American Dental Association recommends you floss once a day to remove food particles and plaque – the sticky film on your teeth that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
Plaque contains cavity-causing bacteria that feed on leftover food in your mouth. These bacteria love sugary substances — and as they feast on them, they produce acids that can harm the shiny, protective surface of your teeth, setting the stage for tooth decay.
READ ALSO: True concept of marriage, by Aisha Musa Auyo
Plaque that isn’t cleansed away by brushing or flossing can harden into a rough substance called tartar or calculus. Tartar builds up along your gum line, which can lead to gum disease. Once tartar forms, only your dentist can remove it, but flossing every day can prevent plaque buildup.
Some mouthwash does the function of flossing when gargled for over two minutes. However, too much use of industrial mouthwash is not healthy and eco-friendly.
Cloves soaked in water also do it, but that should not stop you from mechanically flossing your teeth one by one.
How often should you floss?
The ADA recommends brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day and flossing at least once a day. I floss after every meal or snack. I’m obsessed with it. I always go around with my floss as I do my phone😀. I feel cleaner and have more confidence in my breath and teeth. I would advise you to do what works for you. It’s up to you if you either floss before brushing or after. It depends on your comfort and timing.
In conclusion, dental floss is available and affordable. It saves you the cost of seeing a dentist, it saves you the embarrassment of bad breath and plaque-stained teeth, and it improves confidence and oral health.
Let’s take our oral hygiene very seriously. It tells so much about our overall hygiene and self-care and enhances our relationship with our spouses, and other people in general.
Aisha Musa Auyo is a Doctorate researcher in Educational Psychology, a wife, a mother of three, a homemaker, a chef, and a parenting/ relationship coach. She can be reached via aishamuauyo@live.co.uk.
