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National Floss Day is the day after Thanksgiving, and there’s no better way to prepare for the occasion than by improving your gum health. It’s especially important to pay attention to the health of your gums if they’re swollen, bleeding or show any other signs of gum disease. Here are a few tips for improving your gum health in honor of National Floss Day.

  1. Use Proper Flossing Techniques

You probably already know you should floss your teeth daily, but did you know there’s a “right way” to floss for maximum benefits? Here’s a step-by-step guide to flossing properly:

  • Give yourself enough floss to work with (18 inches is a good length), then wind most of it around your middle fingers on each hand. You should only have approximately one inch of floss to use on each tooth.
  • Use your thumbs and index fingers to pinch the floss and hold it tautly, then slide it up and down between your teeth, making sure the floss goes beneath the gum line and slightly curves around the base of each tooth.
  • Always use clean portions of floss as you repeat the process from tooth to tooth.

If you can feel food between your teeth, you may need to slide the floss back and forth in the area a few times to get all the food residue out.

preventive dentistry with flossing

  1. Get Regular Dental Cleanings

One of the best things you can do for your teeth and your gums is to get regular cleanings and checkups from your dentist in Oxon Hill, MD. In addition to deep-cleaning your teeth and gums, regular cleanings can also be used to detect early signs of gum disease.

  1. Receive Gum Disease Treatment

If you already have periodontal disease, you should receive treatment as soon as possible. Dr. Patrick Cieplak offers a variety of treatments for periodontal disease, including periodontal maintenance and scaling and root planing. To schedule your appointment with our skilled dentist in Oxon Hill, MD, call Cieplak Dental Excellence today.

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