Floss Boss WHY YOU SHOULD COMMIT TO A FLOSSING ROUTINE
Have you ever wondered why dentists push flossing so much? The answer is simple: It’s the No. 1 way to ensure healthy gums!
Flossing goes a long way toward keeping the sides of your teeth clean and healthy, but quality also matters when it comes to floss. The best floss to use depends on the spacing between your teeth, as floss varies in thickness. Those with dexterity issues can floss with one hand by using a pick that has a strand of floss pulled tight between two prongs. Each time you use standard floss, cut a strand between 12–18 inches long and run it up and down each side of each tooth. Bleeding or pain may be common as you begin flossing, but if problems persist, consult with a dental professional. This may be a sign that a more severe problem is surfacing.
Each tooth has five surfaces that need regular cleaning, and only the top, front, and back of your teeth are scrubbed properly with twice-daily brushing. A toothbrush does not have the shape or flexibility required to clean the sides of your teeth. By gliding a string of floss in between your teeth, you shake loose wedged food and plaque particles. If left alone, this plaque build-up could lead to cavities or periodontal disease, which will ultimately impact the rest of your body. In fact, insufficient oral hygiene has been linked to increased rates of diabetes and cardiac, liver, and kidney diseases. Still, some patients remain unconvinced, and a 2016 Associated Press report certainly didn’t make dentists’ jobs any easier. The report detailed 25 studies that found flossing wasn’t a one-stop shop for preventing periodontal disease. This is problematic. Flossing has not been disproven as effective, nor has it been shown to be harmful. Additionally, dentists have never claimed that flossing was the only way to prevent oral diseases. Instead, experts suggest it as an easy, quick, and highly effective tool that can be added to any oral hygiene regimen.
Flossing is an essential part of the healthy oral hygiene routine we promote at H. Charles Jelinek, Jr., DDS. Learn more about how our experts can help you by visiting NorthernVirginiaDental.com.
Pasta Primavera
Sudoku
Inspired by Food Network
INGREDIENTS
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1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
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12 ounces pasta, ideally fusilli
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1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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1/2 pound broccoli florets
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1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano-Reggiano
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2 carrots, shredded
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1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
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Kosher salt, for pasta water and to taste
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1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
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4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot, liberally salt water and bring to a boil. Add fusilli and cook according to package directions. Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper during the last 2 minutes of cook time. 2. Drain the pasta and veggies, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta and veggies to pot. 3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil to medium heat. Add garlic and cook until translucent and golden, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until tomatoes are wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in reserved pasta water.
4. Add tomato mixture to pasta pot, stirring to coat evenly. 5. Divide into bowls, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve.
Solution on Pg. 4
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