Flossing should be an integral part of everyone’s dental health routine. You should be flossing in addition to brushing to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. While many people know they should be flossing, they still have many other questions about flossing. That’s why at Haslam Dental in Ogden, Utah we have put together this list of answers to some of the most common questions about flossing.

How Often Should You Floss?

You should floss at least once per day. While flossing once per day is sufficient, the American Dental Association notes that flossing 2 or 3 times per day can be excellent for your oral health. If you are having trouble remembering to floss it can be helpful to leave a visual cue for yourself, such as leaving your floss on the counter or placing a sticky note on your bathroom mirror.

Should You Floss Before or After Brushing?

A recent study suggests that the order of brushing and flossing can have an impact on your oral health. This study found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste was more effective than brushing first and flossing after. The study also found that flossing before brushing resulted in more fluoride retention between the teeth. Although it may be best to floss before brushing, it’s important to remember that flossing at all is more beneficial for your dental health. Even if you floss after you brush, your dental health will be much better off than if you didn’t floss at all.

Can I Use a Waterpik Instead of Flossing?

Waterpiks, also known as oral irrigators, have become very popular in recent years. They use a directed, forceful stream of water to remove food debris and plaque from in between teeth. Oral irrigators can be very useful in helping people reach hard to get places in their mouth and make it easier for people with braces or other oral appliances to clean around them. There is some research that suggests that using oral irrigators can be more effective than flossing. However, we recommend that you floss immediately before or after using an oral irrigator to ensure optimum oral health.

Why do My Gums Bleed When Flossing?

The most common cause of bleeding gums when flossing is a buildup of plaque, tartar, & bacteria around your gums. This buildup can inflame and irritate your gums, causing them to bleed when you floss. However, bleeding gums can also be caused by periodontal disease, hormonal changes, certain medical conditions, and flossing the wrong way. If you have concerns about your gums bleeding, you should have a conversation with your dentist.

Hopefully we were able to answer some of your pressing questions about flossing. If you have any other questions about flossing or dental health, give our office a call. We are always happy to answer your questions.

Going all in on All-On-Four?

Having a healthy smile that you’re proud of has a major positive impact on your self-confidence. On the flip side, poor dental health can have a major impact on your physical health, but also on your emotional health as well. When you don’t feel confident in your smile, it can be difficult to feel sure of yourself at all. Losing a singular tooth or multiple teeth makes you confront the physical and emotional issues that ensue. Thankfully, there is hope to have a full smile once more!

There are numerous kinds of implants that are available in the dental world today. Some implants cover a single tooth, while dental bridges cover multiple teeth. For some people, there are no viable teeth left in the mouth. Previous implant surgeries would require 6-8 different implant points in order to restore a dental arch (all of the teeth on either the upper or lower jaw). In the early 1990s, a new technique revolutionized the dental world: the All-On-Four implant was created.

What is All-On-Four and why is it special?

Like the name implies, the All-On-Four technique implants all of one of your dental arches (all of the teeth on either the upper or lower jaw) and it only uses four points of implant. This significantly reduces the amount of implant points needed to restore your smile. By only using 4 implant points opposed to the previously used 6–8, it significantly reduces the amount of post-implant pain, recovery time, and risk of complications. For people who have osteoporosis or other issues where there isn’t a lot of bone material to work with, the All-On-4 technique requires no bone grafting in order to place the implants. For just 4 points of contact, you can have an entire arch of teeth put into place. While this still may be a bit uncomfortable, IV sedation is available to help with the discomfort that may be experienced.

What are the limitations of All-On-Four?

As with any type of dental implant, there are limitations that apply to All-On-Four as well. One of the main disadvantages with the All-On-Four technique is the cost involved. In order to do the procedure, doing just one dental arch can cost upwards of 10-30 thousands of dollars, varying widely by what kind of material is used. Luckily, most insurances cover a portion of the cost. Another disadvantage is that depending on the material used, dental restorations may be necessary later down the road. This could be a potential financial burden. However, most dental All-On-Four implants last well over 20 years with a potential to last a lifetime.

If you are ready to have a full smile and learn more about the All-On-Four technique, give Haslam Dental in Ogden, UT a call at (801) 479-1700 or request an appointment.