A Step-By-Step Guide For The Proper Way To Floss
Flossing is one of the simplest and most powerful tools for preventing cavities and gum disease. It removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, which a toothbrush is typically not so effective at doing. Along with brushing, flossing should be an integral component of your daily dental hygiene routine.
The problem is that many people who do take up flossing aren’t so well-versed in proper flossing technique. In order to get the maximum benefits out of flossing, you need to make sure that you are flossing correctly. Here is your step-by-step guide to a successful flossing:
- Use a section of floss about 18 inches long. This should be roughly the distance from your elbow to the tips of your fingers.
- Wrap the floss around the middle fingers on both of your hands, leaving about one to two inches of space between them.
- Use the thumb and index fingers of each hand to move and hold the floss tightly.
- Slide the floss between your teeth with extra care, all the way to the gums. Try to keep from “snapping” the floss and forcing it down quickly to the gum line, as this can result in bruising or tearing of the gum tissue.
- Curve the floss so that it makes a “U” shape around each tooth, as this will remove the highest amount of food and other particles that have settled between your teeth.
- Slide the floss up and down from the base to the tip about three times while pressing it against the side of the tooth. Be slow and gentle so that you are not snapping the floss into the gums each time.
- Take your time and be systematic. Make sure that you floss both sides of every tooth and that you don’t forget to floss the backside of your last molars. Use a new, clean section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
- Once you are finished flossing you should rinse out your mouth with water and then brush your teeth. Flossing the spaces between your teeth before brushing helps to clean them out and allow the fluoride in your toothpaste to make contact with more areas, providing more protection against tooth decay and gum disease.
Let an Edmonton Dentist Help with Your Flossing Technique If you’re still a little unsure about the best way to floss, you can get all of your questions answered during a teeth cleaning from the Edmonton dentists at Janz Family Dental. Our friendly and professional dentists and hygienists can highlight areas of concern in your mouth, and give you pointers on how to floss more effectively. Good brushing and flossing make up half the battle against the plaque-causing bacteria that are harmful to your teeth. The other half is making sure you go for a regular teeth cleaning with your Edmonton dentist. Schedule an appointment with Janz Family Dental for a teeth cleaning today.
