You should smell your floss after you’re done flossing! If you notice a bad odor, it could be related to the following:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Old food particles stuck between your teeth that are beginning to rot
It is SO important to floss after every meal, if you don’t, food particles can get stuck in-between your teeth for days which causes decay, plaque buildup, and bad breath. Your toothbrush cannot reach the tight spaces between your teeth so you can’t just rely on brushing to keep your smile healthy. In order to floss properly, gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth in a C-shape, making sure you go beneath the gum line. There are a lot of great floss brands, we recommend Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss, it is clinically proven to remove up to 55% MORE plaque than regular flosses. It stretches and expands into interdental spaces to clean better and is gentler on gums. You can either purchase it through the office or on Amazon!
If you notice a consistent smell after flossing we recommend that you get it checked out right away. The odor-causing bacteria could be causing inflammation of the gums which then allows bacteria to enter your bloodstream. This could be very bad for your heart, brain, and lungs. Research now shows a strong relationship between oral hygiene and various diseases of the body.
Gums that bleed or a bad odor coming from your mouth are signs that you have larger health issues. It’s important to take care of any issues you have early on so they don’t proceed to worsen. A small cavity can turn into a root canal over time, be proactive with your oral routine every day.