‘Play it safe’: 3 flossing habits to avoid – they can cause ‘irreversible damage’
Hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing have become the foundation of good oral health. However, if used incorrectly, flossing can damage the gums and expose the roots of the teeth. Three common mistakes can hinder efforts to improve oral health by causing long-term oral problems.
The importance of flossing has become an accepted health dogma.
It is believed to help prevent conditions such as gingivitis and tooth loss, which are precursors to other serious health complications.
Problems associated with gum disease include lung disease, heart disease, and stroke, just to name a few.
Health consultant and author Susan Saunders explained, “Untreated periodontitis can cause dental problems, from bad breath to bleeding and tooth loss.
READ ALSO: Poor oral hygiene can lead to ‘black hairy tongue’ – expert
“This is associated with an increased risk of dementia, as inflammation can spread from the mouth to the brain. And now it seems that he can get to the heart.
In addition to brushing your teeth, flossing can prevent these problems by removing inflammatory bacteria stuck between your teeth.
This can be an important step in oral care, but it is very important to be careful when flossing.
A common mistake that dental clinics warn against is putting too much physical pressure on the gums with flossing.
Milner Dentistry explains: “There is no need to pull the floss at the level of the gum tissue. If your gums are not healthy, they may bleed or you may experience pain.
“If you regularly floss your gums, you can create permanent tissue damage in the form of a sulcus or cleft. Don’t risk it.”
Flossing more than once a day can also cause serious damage to gum tissue if done incorrectly.
This is partly because flossing becomes especially harmful when the line exposes most of the root of the tooth.
READ MORE: Poor Oral Health May Increase Your Risk of Stroke and Brain Decline
“You only need to floss once a day, and flossing more frequently can sometimes do more harm than food,” explains Milner Dentistry.
“Because your gums are sensitive, flossing too often can irritate this tissue and, in some cases, damage it.”
Bleeding gums is another common hurdle when flossing, but that shouldn’t deter anyone from continuing.
Animated Teeth suggests that bleeding gums may be “a sign that the area cannot or has not been effectively cleaned.”
Often bleeding gums are a sign of secondary inflammation of the gum tissue associated with gingivitis, a condition that is reversible with good brushing.
On the other hand, bleeding gums may indicate periodontitis, which is unlikely to be cured without professional intervention.
Animated Teeth explains, “In any case, continuing to floss, rather than stopping your routine because your gums are bleeding, is a big part of the solution.”
Saunders added: “Make oral hygiene a priority: two minutes of brushing, then flossing or flossing, and going to the dentist regularly to […] protect heart health.
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