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f you're not flossing your teeth on a regular basis, you could be at increased risk of gum disease and tooth loss. This can affect more than your teeth. According to Health Canada, "cavities and gum disease may contribute to many serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and premature and low birth weight babies."

Here's what you need to know: flossing removes plaque and bacteria that you cannot reach with your toothbrush. If you don't floss, you are not cleaning more than one-third of your tooth surface.

Plaque is an invisible bacterial film that develops on your teeth every day and is the main cause of gum disease. If you floss faithfully every 24 hours and brush your teeth properly at least twice a day, plaque never gets a chance to harden into what is known as tartar, which is much more difficult to remove and usually requires a professional cleaning.

			Teeth for life
			Did you know that it's neglect -not age- that results in tooth loss for most people? In fact, with regular brushing, flossing and trips to the dentist, your chompers can last for a lifetime. It's really important to brush your teeth every time you finish eating. Why? Because the bacterial attack on teeth begins minutes after eating. If you can't brush this frequently, make sure you brush at least every day and always before bed.

In surveys done by the Canadian Dental Association, fewer than 50% of Canadians say they are flossing regularly. And in fact, says Euan Swan, a dentist and the manager of dental programs for the CDA, "these numbers may be a little bit high because some people may feel embarrassed to say they don't."

Granted, some people say they find floss difficult to use because they can't get their fingers around it and the tooth. Alternatives to floss include toothpicks and little brushes. The other option that's been in the news recently is preventing gum disease by rinsing with a mouthwash. The CDA doesn't recommend rinsing alone, however, notes Dr. Swan. "Our advice is to brush, floss and use a mouth rinse, if you wish."

Get into the habit of daily flossing by combining it with some other pleasurable activity such as watching TV or listening to music. Please note, however, that flossing in public is not a great idea. Flicking bits of dental debris at friends and strangers is not only a turn-off but also just plain rude. Save your flossing for those quiet times when you're on your own.

			The food you eat can affect your dental health!
			Sugar is one of the major players in tooth and gum disease and to add insult to injury, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) estimates that the average Canadian eats the equivalent of 40 kg of sugar each year! To reduce the size of your sweet tooth, the CDA recommends that you: Choose sugar-free snacks Add less sugar to coffee or tea (or use sugar substitutes). Avoid sugar-sweetened soft drinks. Look for fruit juices and drinks with no added sugar. Read lists of ingredients when you're grocery shopping. Honey, molasses, liquid invert sugar, glucose, and fructose are all types of sugar. For more tips on sugar-free snacking, visit the Canadian Dental Association website.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends the following flossing technique:

Step 1
Take a length of floss equal to the distance from your hand to your shoulder. Wrap it around your index and middle fingers, leaving about two inches between your hands.

Step 2
Slide the floss between your teeth and wrap it into a "C" shape around the base of the tooth and gently under the gum line. Wipe the tooth from base to tip two or three times.

Step 3
Be sure to floss both sides of every tooth. Don't forget the backs of your last molars. Go to a new section of the floss as it wears and picks up particles.

Step 4
Brush your teeth after you floss -waiting to brush until flossing is finished is a more effective method of preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

If your gums bleed a bit after you first begin to floss, don't worry! The bleeding will usually stop after a few days, once your gums get less "flabby" (regular flossing firms up gum tissue). If the bleeding continues beyond a few days, however, see your dentist.

You should also note that floss could shred if you snag it on an old filling or on the ragged edge of a tooth. Try another type of floss or dental tape. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist for advice. If your floss still shreds, see your dentist.