I know it seems strange to have a blog about flossing your teeth. But it’s one of the best things we can do for our body – right up there with not eating trans-fats and drinking plenty of water. Let me tell you as an esthetician and a lash technician I am close to peoples’ faces all day long and y’all need to be told. Let’s put the vanity stuff first because I know you don’t care about heart disease.
When you don’t floss, you get bits of rotten food in between your teeth and it smells…really bad. Secondly, when you don’t floss you get a buildup of plaque on your teeth, I don’t know about you, but I would never take advice from someone if they have 3mm of plaque running from their gumline to their teeth, I don’t hear a word they’re saying. All I’m thinking is “why doesn’t this person take care of her body? Doesn’t she know everyone can see the crud attached to her teeth?” It’s a cesspool of bacteria and I have no other choice to but to believe you don’t have good personal hygiene in every aspect of your life. Also the pink, inflamed gums freak me out. They look like they are going to burst at the slightest touch.
People are judging you. There, I said it.
Now let me tell you medically what happens TO THE REST OF YOUR BODY when you don’t floss. That’s right, the problem is not isolated to your mouth. According to WebMD, gum disease is linked to heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, premature birth and more. WebMD is not sure how your gum health and the rest of your body is connected, but they believe the bacteria left in your mouth, ends up in your bloodstream.
Those who floss are more likely to keep their teeth longer, rather than needing dentures. Flossing takes less than a minute. LESS THAN ONE MINUTE and it is a sexy habit to have – unless you’re doing it all wrong.
Get this; I’ve talked to my gal pals about their flossing routines and quite a few of them have told me they were flossing “too hard.” Instead of gently sliding (in a saw-like motion) the flossing between their teeth, they were forcing the string down, thus causing damage to their gumline. So here are some quick do’s and don’ts I’ve learned:
DO
Gently slide the floss in a back and forth motion down between each tooth. Then go left and right without forcing the floss to go too far.
Use waxed floss at first, it helps to gently get between the teeth. I used an unwaxed floss sometimes to get the in-betweens extra clean.
Don’t forget the very back teeth – the way back ones, even though there is not a tooth on the other side of them, you can still build up plaque and food can still hide back there.
Try to relax your cheeks and mouth while flossing. Stretching your mouth open causes tension which prevents you from getting the teeth in the back.
Brush your teeth afterwards and be sure to rinse.
DON’T
Don’t be forceful with the floss. Your gums are delicate and you can easily cut them. Go slow and use the back and forth motion mentioned above.
Don’t forget to go side to side, in order to get underneath the tooth.
Don’t believe that everyone once in a while is enough. Floss at least four times a week. That’s the minimum.
And don’t forget, people can see if you’re not flossing.
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