Dr. Doctor Vetter,
I have been trying to teach my children how to floss and the importance of flossing every day. Yesterday, we were doing some research, and we came across something called “flossing cavities.” I’ve never heard of flossing cavities before. Can you tell me more?
First of all, I am so happy to hear that you are teaching your children about the importance of flossing! You are giving your children a great head-start to optimal oral health by teaching them young how to care for their teeth properly. I wish all patients took this initiative.
As for flossing cavities, these are nothing new, even though they don’t get a lot of attention. Flossing cavities are simply cavities that occur between the teeth. They are called “flossing” cavities because they can be almost 100% avoidable by flossing every day.
The teeth are designed to fit snuggly inside the mouth to support one another and offer support to the jawbone. Because they are tightly fitted together, they are difficult to clean between. Dental floss is the only tool that is designed to scrape away plaque from between the teeth. Oral plaque is laden with acid-producing bacteria that eat away at tooth enamel. Cavities are caused by acids eating tiny holes in the teeth. Therefore, if you do not remove plaque from all surfaces of the teeth each day, your teeth are being constantly assaulted.
A toothbrush is an essential tool in cleaning your teeth, but the bristles of a toothbrush cannot fit between the spaces of the teeth. A toothbrush is designed to clean the upper and exposed areas of the teeth, along the gum line, and your tongue. You can brush your teeth three times a day and still acquire cavities between them if you are not flossing.
At Jefferson Dental Care, we want to help promote optimal oral health care in all of our patients. Flossing is the most important part of your oral health routine, and we encourage you to make this a daily habit. If you want to learn more about the importance of flossing or need a little training in how to floss correctly, contact us today. We want nothing more than to partner with you in your oral health.
Posted on behalf of Jefferson Dental Care
