Flossing in the 21st Century
When I ask my new patients if they floss or not, and they respond that they don’t, I always counter with “not yet!” We educate every patient to help them prevent tooth decay before it requires treatment. We advise them of the proper schedule and way to brush, and encourage daily flossing. We give every patient a brush, toothpaste, floss and lip balm at each visit. And no matter how many ways dentists present the benefits of flossing, statistics indicate that only 12% of the population of developed companies like the USA floss their teeth daily.
The Benefits of Flossing
This is significant because brushing without flossing is like cleaning only 65% of your body in the shower, leaving 35% dirty! Flossing removes the trapped food particles and plaque between the teeth that a tooth brush simply cannot reach. Flossing also prevents the formation of tartar, which once visible, can only be removed during a visit to our office. Recent medical research goes as far as to conclude that flossing reduces the risk of heart attack by decreasing the occurrence of gum disease. The relationship between gum disease and heart attack has been established and continues to be studied.
AirFloss - Amazing Technology and Great Results
Today I have good news for those hold outs who still don’t want to floss yet. Philips Sonicare has introduced AirFloss, an innovative flossing approach delivering a quick burst of air and microdroplets of water or mouth rinse to reach deep between teeth and gently remove plaque. It’s easy to use, gentle on the gums and teeth, and has a money-back guarantee. The company’s research shows that after one month of use, 96% of patients who flossed irregularly continue to use this product at least four times a week. This new technology could be just what it takes for you and your loved ones to start flossing regularly as an important part of your dental hygiene program! Give us a call and we will show you how this exciting new tool can help keep your mouth healthy and 100% clean!
