{"id":22,"date":"2017-06-16T14:40:19","date_gmt":"2017-06-16T14:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drtetelman.com\/blog\/?p=22"},"modified":"2017-06-16T14:40:19","modified_gmt":"2017-06-16T14:40:19","slug":"dentist-in-lenox-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drtetelman.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/16\/dentist-in-lenox-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"Dentist in Lenox Hill Urges Patients to Floss More"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TheMost people know they should floss every day, but according to a number of national studies performed over the last several years, few people actually manage to do it as often as they should. In fact, a recent survey from the Centers for Disease Control shows that <\/span>slightly over 32%<\/span><\/a> of Americans <\/span>never <\/span><\/i>floss. That\u2019s a problem, says <\/span>your dentist<\/span><\/a> in Lenox Hill.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There was a flurry of reportage last year that flossing <\/span>doesn\u2019t really matter<\/span><\/a> that much, but fortunately, we have pretty much debunked that myth by now. Flossing is a crucial aspect of good dental hygiene, as it is the only way to remove the leftover bacteria and food particles your toothbrush just can\u2019t reach.<\/span><\/p>\n

The truth is, people of all ages need to floss at least once daily (flossing should begin when young children have two teeth touching each other). That\u2019s what we and the American Dental Association recommends for preventing gum disease, dental caries (AKA cavities) and a host of oral health issues. <\/span><\/p>\n

How to Floss Properly<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s probably been awhile since you learned how to floss, and you may need a little reminder on how to do it right. To start, wrap a piece of dental floss about 18 inches long around your two middle fingers. Leave a space about an inch wide in between. Gently work this part of the floss up, down, and around the base of each tooth. Think of the floss as rubbing against the tooth rather than popping up and down like a rubber band. Working in gentle motions protects your sensitive soft tissues and prevents bleeding gums. <\/span><\/p>\n

Use a new space of floss between each tooth to avoid redistributing bacteria throughout the mouth. When you are finished, toss the floss in the trash and give yourself a pat on the back! <\/span><\/p>\n

Start a Flossing Habit Today<\/span><\/h2>\n

For most people, the hard part of flossing isn\u2019t actually doing it — it\u2019s remembering to. A little habit forming can help in a big way when it comes to dental floss. They say it takes about two weeks to pick up a good habit, so work hard for 14 days and cleaning between your teeth at night will be as automatic as pouring that cup of coffee first thing in the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some tips for picking up a good habit. Try a few and see which one works best for you. <\/span><\/p>\n