Sarrell Dental center

In the United States, tooth decay is the second most common disease.

•        This follows the common cold which ranks number one

•        Sharks have teeth that are as hard as steel

•        The largest mammal on earth, the blue whale, can only eat tiny shrimp because it has no teeth.

•        Blue toothbrushes are more popular than red ones

•        Drinking 3 or more sugary sodas a day can cause 62% more tooth decay.

•        Brushing by itself cleans only about 60% of your teeth's surfaces. So, if you are only brushing and not flossing it is the same as not cleaning seven of your teeth!

•        Bleeding gums are a sign of infection, regular flossing can help prevent bleeding gums.

Why is flossing so important?

Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. Brushing your teeth only cleans 60% of your teeth, so it is necessary to floss your teeth daily to prevent tooth decay. Flossing cleans in between the teeth where a tooth-brush can't reach. The plaque that forms between the gum line and your teeth is removed only when you floss. There are plenty of benefits to be gained by flossing. Not only are you polishing your teeth's surface, but flossing also helps to control bad breath and helps prevent periodon-tal disease (which is associated with major systematic illnesses).

How Often Should I Floss?

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. The best time for you to brush and floss your teeth is after dinner and right before you go to bed. If your excuse for not flossing is because it takes too long, try flossing your upper teeth in the morning and your lower teeth at night. It does not matter whether you choose to floss your teeth before or after you brush them. The type or flavor of floss you choose doesn't matter either. The most important thing is that you floss your teeth.

What is the Correct Way to Floss My Teeth?

1. Take a piece of floss about a foot and a half long and wind most of it around your middle finger on    one hand.

2. Then, wind some of the rest of it around the middle finger of your other hand.

3. Hold the floss firmly between your thumbs and index fingers (the fingers next to your thumbs) and choose two teeth to place the floss between.

4. Curve the floss into a U-shape and gently slide it between the teeth towards the gums. Carefully floss

back and forth in this space to get out any food that might be there.

5. Repeat this between each of your teeth. Don't forget to floss the backside of your teeth. This should

take about 2-3 minutes. Once you have finished, rinse your mouth with water.

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