Dear Dr. Diesburg,
Do I really have to floss? Really? Even if I brush well?
Thanks,
Stacy in McMinnville
Dear Stacy,
Flossing is absolutely necessary to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. You have millions of bacteria in your mouth and they live in plaque, which forms on your teeth. Flossing gets rid of the plaque your toothbrush can’t reach in those vulnerable places between your teeth.
I am happy to show you proper flossing technique at your next appointment. But for most people, it’s about changing habits, which we all know is difficult. We like this online resource for how to make brushing a habit.
The key to changing habits is to keep the new habit up for at least a month. If you can do that, you are well on your way to making flossing a lifetime habit!
Happy Brushing!
Dr. Diesburg
