Are floss picks as good as regular floss? While it’s better to use a floss pick than to not floss at all, it’s important to note that floss picks can only clean a part of the tooth’s surface. At Future of Dentistry, we recommend traditional floss or tape. Here’s why:

A floss pick holds just a small piece of floss stretched in a straight line. But teeth are rounded, with occasional irregularities. A straight segment of floss just won’t conform to the contours of the tooth as well as traditional string floss.

By wrapping string floss completely around a tooth, you can clean off plaque far more effectively. We have seen patients who are dutiful floss pick users who developed decay due to a small crack the floss pick missed day after day.

Flossing, The Right Way

Here is a guide to proper flossing:

• Cut a segment of floss about 18 inches long and securely wind each end around your middle fingers.
• Take hold of the floss with your forefinger and thumb leaving about two inches to work with. Thread the floss between two teeth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the side of the tooth and move it up and away from the gumline. You want to clean the space between the tooth and gum without pulling more gum tissue away, so it’s critical to scrape up and out of the pocket.
• Move the floss around the tooth to clean every surface—especially those that your brush can’t reach. You can use a “shoeshine” method if you like. With 18 inches, you should have enough to furnish a clean segment for each tooth.
• Some people find it simpler to start on one end of the upper teeth and clean each gap one by one until they reach the end on the opposite side, and then repeat for the lower arch.

If you don’t usually floss, your gums might bleed the first few times. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding typically stops within a week or two.

At Future of Dentistry we want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley  come to one of our offices for a checkup every six months. We offer general and family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Schedule your next appointment today!

Contact Future of Dentistry:

781-245-2299

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-419-9414

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-791-3078

Future of Dentistry – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-620-5912

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299

 

Whether it’s your first visit to Future of Dentistry or your fiftieth, you can be confident that we will provide the highest level of dental care possible.

If it’s your first visit, then we’ll begin by reviewing the state of your dental health and discuss any concerns you might have. Experience has taught us that some patients are embarrassed by the state of their teeth, or worried about pain. If that sounds at all familiar, congratulations for overcoming these concerns and setting up an appointment.

We take as much time as necessary. Cleanings and examinations are thorough, and we always make sure there is time for you to ask any questions you might have. We’ll also explain any recommendations for ongoing treatment.

Depending on the state of your teeth, you can expect a cleaning to take between half an hour and forty-five minutes. The hygienist will make an initial inspection of your teeth and gums, remove any tartar, and brush and polish your teeth. Then the dentist does an in-depth exam.

At Future of Dentistry we want to know your dental health goals so we can help you reach them. Patients throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley come to one of our locations (see below) for general and family dentistry, complete restorative dentistry, and much more. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Future of Dentistry:

781-245-2299

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-419-9414

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-791-3078

Future of Dentistry – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-620-5912

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299

 

Flossing is one of the most important things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Doing it is simple enough, but as in most things there is usually room for improvement. At Future of Dentistry we think trying out different types of floss is a good idea, and can help you do a better job.

The reason flossing is so important is that it removes plaque and food debris from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Left on the teeth, plaque hardens into floss and contributes to tooth decay. The Academy of General Dentistry goes so far as to call flossing the most important thing you can do to fight plaque.

What Kind Is Best?

When it comes to what dental floss to use, there is a lot to choose from. Flavored or unflavored? Waxed or unwaxed? Wide or thin?

No single type of floss is right for everyone. You might even benefit from having more than one kind in your medicine chest. With a little trial and error, you can narrow down your choices to find what works best for you.

Here are some things to bear in mind:

• Waxed floss fits more easily into tight spaces
• Unwaxed floss tends to squeak against clean teeth, an indicator that plaque is gone
• Wider dental tape may work better in gaps between teeth, and on bridgework

We recommend traditional string floss that you can pull out in a long strand, as opposed to a flossing pick. Those little picks are popular, but with only a tight strand of floss it’s all but impossible to wrap any around your teeth – and flossing is far more effective when you do that. They’re fine for when you’re on the go. Just be sure to use regular floss as part of your dental hygiene routine before bedtime.

Whatever your preference, the important thing is to floss at least once each day.

At Future of Dentistry we like to see you for a checkup every six months. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley come to our office for general and family dentistry, and for complete cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next appointment today!

Contact Future of Dentistry:

781-245-2299

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-419-9414

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-791-3078

Future of Dentistry – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-620-5912

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299

 

This message from Future of Dentistry focuses on a very serious issue: oral cancer. Oral cancer claims tens of thousands of lives each year, which is why we offer oral cancer screenings at each checkup. Early detection can make all the difference!

At home, you can pay attention for any of the following:

• Have a lump or thickening in your throat
• Have white or red patches on your tongue, tonsils, or lining of your cheeks and gums
• Notice numbness of any oral feature
• Have any type of lesion, cut, or canker-type sore that doesn’t heal within 14 days

If you notice anything unusual, be sure to tell us or your doctor.

We perform basic screenings. If we notice anything suspicious, there is no immediate cause for alarm. We won’t know right away if we’re looking at is cancerous, but will probably refer you for additional testing.

Early detection through an oral cancer screening at Future of Dentistry can make all the difference, and only takes a few minutes. We’ve screened Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley, who come to our practice for general and family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Call to schedule your next checkup today!

Contact Future of Dentistry:

781-245-2299

Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):

Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-419-9414

Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-791-3078

Future of Dentistry – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-620-5912

Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299