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Even the best dentists will have little impact on your oral health if you fail to take care of your teeth at home. Take flossing for instance. While proper flossing is a vital component of great dental care, many people neglect to do it all. That’s why Main Street Dental offers the following flossing hints and tips to patients in La Crosse, WI, so they can take an active role in their oral health.

Use Gentle Motions

While it’s important to be thorough when flossing, using rough motions can actually greatly damage gums. To this end, dentists recommend using gentle, smooth motions when flossing between teeth. Not only can rough flossing lead to damaged gums, but you also run the risk of developing a serious infection. If left unchecked, this could lead to the need for more comprehensive restorative dentistry procedures.

Longer Sections Means More Leverage

dentistWhen flossing, it’s best to use longer sections of floss — between 18 and 24 inches is usually preferred. This will provide you more leverage, which in turn will result in cleaner teeth. Remember, flossing is ideal for removing the accumulation of plaque between the teeth. To ensure this is performed effectively, it’s best to err on the side of too much floss as opposed to too little.

Waxed Floss Is Preferable

The type of floss you use can also play a role in your oral health. Waxed floss is typically preferred, since it can easily glide between teeth. Other types of floss are prone to breaking, which can impact the quality of your oral hygiene as well as the health of your gums. If dexterity is an issue, you can also try flossing wands, which offer a bit more control than regular floss.

When it comes to maintaining a bright healthy smile, Main Street Dental will proudly support you in your journey towards optimum oral health. Schedule your next appointment with a La Crosse dentist by calling (608) 784-4063 today. You can also visit this practice online for the full range of preventative dentistry services.

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