Did you know that the health of your mouth is just as important as the health of your overall body? Therefore, it is important to take proper care of your mouth and teeth; it is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day and floss your teeth at least once a day. Brushing your teeth is necessary for keeping your teeth and gums healthy, but only half of the care your mouth needs on a daily basis.

Reasons why flossing is important every day:

• Minimizes bad breath

Flossing helps remove the accumulated plaque and bacteria that is responsible for causing bad breath. Some areas can't be reached with a toothbrush; flossing is essential to remove odorous food particles and bacteria that emit foul-smelling vapors from these areas.

• Helps prevent gum disease and plaque build-up.

One main reason for tooth decay and gum disease is the accumulation of plaque and bacteria on the teeth, between the teeth, or along the gum line. These conditions can cause cavities and can even lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

• Quickly improves your dental health.

If you stick with it, quite quickly, flossing will make a big difference in your mouth health. Ideally, you should make a habit of flossing before bedtime for 3 minutes or more. But even 60 seconds of flossing will show benefits. The trick is to make flossing a habit, just like bathing, exercise, and other daily routines.

• Stops gums from bleeding

Many people don't like to floss because they notice their gums bleed. But not flossing because of bleeding is actually contradictory to what you should be doing. With daily brushing and flossing, bleeding gums typically go away in just a few weeks.

• Proper Flossing Technique

Flossing every day won't help much if proper flossing techniques are not followed. Your family dentist, Sunset Oak Dental, recommends you practice the following flossing techniques. While flossing, pull a small length of floss from the dispenser, wrap its end tightly around your middle fingers and run the floss between the teeth to the gum line, pulling out any particles or plaque trapped in between. Floss behind the back teeth, too, as they are harder to clean and hence more likely to have plaque accumulation.

During your next routine dental visit to Sunset Oak Dental, ask us about where plaque and tartar have accumulated and concentrate more on these areas when you floss.

If you are not following a proper flossing regimen, it is time to add it to your dental care routine. Along with the proper home oral hygiene habits, visit your Rocklin dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.