When thinking about your oral health care, it is always a good idea to see your dentist twice a year for our regular cleaning and examination to make sure you have a clean and healthy mouth. Your dentist will be able to determine if you are missing any areas. Oftentimes, people fail to adequately clean between their teeth. This can lead to a buildup of plaque and put your smile at risk for tooth decay. Daily flossing can prevent this problem.

The first thing you need to do is determine what sort of product you want to use. To clean between your teeth, dental floss and water flossers are two effective options. Talk with your dentist or look for products that have been given the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which guarantees product safety and effectiveness.

If you decide to use traditional floss, always remember to use a fresh strand every time, which will help prevent contamination. In addition, never use the same section of floss for more than one tooth. Try to use a strand that is roughly 18” in length, so you can move up and down the strand as needed. Wrap each end of the floss around a finger on each hand leaving two to three inches for flossing. Focus on cleaning between each tooth and along your gumline.

To set up a meeting with Gateway Oaks Dental at our dentist office in Sacramento, California, you can call us at 916-649-0249. Dr. Hoang Truong and our entire team are ready to provide you with a healthier smile!