BETTER SMILEAGE
The Dental Floss ophy (used with the permission of the Massachusetts Dental Society)
The Dental Floss ophy is all about teaching you how important
it is to floss your teeth every day!
So why is flossing so important? Let's start with the plaque problem.
Certain types of bacteria, found in some of the foods that you eat, can
stick to the enamel that covers your teeth. These bacteria can then grow
into white film called plaque. (You know, that sticky stuff that's in
your mouth when you wake up in the morning.) If plaque is not removed
from your teeth, cavities could start. And who wants cavities?
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Brushing your teeth at least twice a day helps get rid of some of this
plaque because your toothbrush is great at cleaning the tops, sides, and
front and back of your teeth. But did you know that brushing alone is
still not enough to keep your teeth healthy?
You see, not only is plaque found around your teeth, but it also gets in between your teeth—in places where your toothbrush can't
reach.
So how do you get rid of that hard to reach plaque? FLOSSING .
Flossing begins at a very early age—when any two teeth in your mouth touch.
How do you floss your teeth?
Learning to floss your teeth takes time and patience. If you're
just beginning to floss your teeth, be sure your mom or dad or another
adult is there to help you.
Flossing is done in three easy steps:
Next, curve the floss into a C-shape and slide it into the space between
the gum and tooth until you feel some resistance. Now, gently bring the
floss up against the side of the tooth. Be careful not to floss too hard.
With practice, by the time you're eight years old, you should be able to floss without help from an adult.
If you have braces, carefully pull the waxed floss between wire and teeth and floss carefully around each tooth using the above steps.
How often should I floss?
It's important to floss at least once a day and take your time
to be sure you've flossed in between every tooth.
What about using toothpicks?
While toothpicks can help remove food stuck between your teeth, they don't
actually remove plaque around your teeth as well as floss does.
What types of floss are available?
There are all different kinds of floss available: waxed and unwaxed
floss, flavored and unflavored floss, and wide and regular floss. Your
parents and dentist will know which floss is best for you to use.
1. If I brush my teeth after every meal, I don't need
to floss my teeth, too.
2. A toothpick works just as well as floss.
3. It's important that I only floss my front teeth.
4. Flossing is important because it helps to get rid of plaque that my
toothbrush can't reach.
5. I will follow the Dental Floss ophy and floss my teeth every
day!
Answers:
1. False. Brushing alone is not enough. It's important
to floss every day.
2. False. Toothpicks do not remove plaque around your teeth as well as
floss does.
3. False. It's important to floss ALL your teeth.
4. True. Flossing every day will help you get rid of plaque in between
your teeth, where your toothbrush can't always reach.
5. True. Flossing every day will help my smile last a lifetime.
Just remember, the Dental Floss ophy is all about good dental habits. So remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day, visit your dentist regularly for checkups, AND remember to floss your teeth once a day, too .
By taking a course in Floss
ophy, you'll be sure to pass every oral exam!
Dr. Herzog is a dentist serving the following Massachusetts areas: Wenham, Beverly, Hamilton, Topsfield, Peabody and Danvers Massachusetts.
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