How to Floss Your Teeth

It is one of the most frequently asked questions by dentists – ‘Do you floss your teeth?’ No doubt you have been in that particular situation before, if not by a dentist then perhaps it was your oral hygienist that asked you that question. Although flossing is not a foreign practise for many, it is still not done nearly enough or in the correct way. But firstly, before looking into effective flossing, you need to understand why this extra time and effort spent on your teeth is a necessity.

The Importance of Dental Flossing

Brushing your teeth daily is obviously extremely important – there is no argument there. But flossing is also something that cannot be ignored. When you brush, you are giving the surface of your teeth a decent clean and you remove all the plaque which can cause tooth decay. What is not evident to many however is that food particles don’t only sit on the surface, some of them end up getting stuck in between your teeth. This is a problem that is easily solved by flossing every day.

Steps to Take

Use Enough Floss

Around 18 inches long will be enough floss. Break the floss off and wrap it around your middle fingers until the piece of floss is about 5 inches long.

The Correct Movements

The floss should start at the top of your tooth and work its way down to the gums. Continue to move the floss up and down between each tooth to remove all the debris. This should be a gentle action because your gums are most likely sensitive. This is especially the case when flossing is not a regular routine – the more you floss, the tougher they will become. That is why bleeding gums is not always a sign of a serious dental disease, if bleeding persist then the dentist should be seen.

Pre-threaded Floss vs Traditional Floss

Pre-threaded floss has become the new craze amongst dentist’s patients. It is a simpler way of flossing and it makes it easier to reach the back teeth. Obviously, with traditional floss you will need to wrap it around your fingers but with pre-threaded floss that is not necessary. Another positive of the pre-threaded floss is that it usually has a pick-end that can be used to dislodge food particles. Whichever floss you prefer be certain to throw it away when it is dirty – oral hygiene is extremely important when working with your teeth.

So it is clear – dental flossing is very important and it needs to be a part of everyone’s day-to-day lives. Brushing doesn’t remove all the food particles and plaque in your mouth. Whether it is pre-threaded or traditional floss it will do the job, but make sure to be gentle with your movements. To ensure that all the food particles in your mouth are removed, the pick-end of a pre-threaded flosser can come in handy. The next time you are feeling too tired to floss, remember that the chances of there being plaque in between your teeth are high. Don’t forget to floss; take care of your teeth.