Flossing Has Gone Viral!

All Country Music fans (like me!) who watched the CMA’s last night saw Brad Paisley unleash a few jokes about flossing, and, in a dad-joke way, deadpan pretended he didn't know the difference between the floss dance and dental hygiene. "Garth, do you floss?" Paisley asked Garth Brooks, who promptly responded, “Yeah, dum**ss.” Carrie Underwood asked Luke Bryan, in the audience, to try and show off his best flossing dance moves, to the delight of everyone sitting near him. “How’s that supposed to prevent gingivitis?” Paisley said in mock-confusion.

Your kids may or may not be Country Music fans, but they almost certainly know the Floss Dance, made popular by a video from the Backpack Kid (Katy Perry even asked him to perform the dance with her on SNL).

The popularity of this dance is a great opportunity for parents to teach their kids about the importance of flossing their teeth (and a reminder for parents, too). So if you see your kids Floss Dancing, or a video comes on, or if you ask to see their best Floss Dancing moves, tell them some of these important flossing facts.

It’s a Couples Dance!

Brushing AND flossing in tandem, as a must-do in your daily/nightly routine is definitely more effective than just brushing on its own. Brushing only your teeth and not flossing is quite like cleaning the outside part of a bowl but not cleaning the inside! The bristles of the toothbrush can only reach so far, which means that a high 35% of your teeth's surface remains untouched - AKA a breeding and party ground for bacteria! And a pro tip: Floss first, then Brush for maximum cleaning impact.

Tartar – It’s just gross.

So basically, tartar forms when plaque has been left for too long and begins to harden. Daily and nightly flossing will help you remove debris and plaque from the teeth which ensures no tartar forms at the gum-line of the teeth. Don't give plaque a reason to think it can turn into tartar and sit on your teeth any longer!

An Unclean Mouth is a Turnoff to Other People!

Debris from food and plaque can become lodged between teeth and gums which can contain icky bacteria which in turn creates a not-so-kissable-odor! Flossing prevents these particles to get stuck which stops bad breath and also the unfortunate, unsightly and common occurrence of broccoli or poppy seeds making an appearance when you smile.

Floss is the Super-Hero your Gums Need!

Plaque can not only stain your teeth but it can also be the culprit for Gingivitis which is the first sign and step towards gum disease; inflammation and infection of the gums! The plaque builds up and begins to erode and eat away at your poor vulnerable gums! Your gummy-gum-gums are the most vulnerable point of the gums and can be saved by you! You and your magical floss can save the day!

And if you need extra help reinforcing good habits,  Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD, with offices in West Hartford Center and New Britain, CT, can help teach your kid to floss the right way—and will do the Floss Dance, too!

Keep smiling,

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and  New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121